GAME RECAP
Canisius volleyball was a force at the net, tallying 15.5 blocks on Sunday, however Quinnipiac snuck past the Golden Griffins, 3-2 (18-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 20-18), at the the Koessler Athletic Center. With the loss Canisius drops to 4-12 overall and 2-4 in the MAAC, while Quinnipiac improved to 6-14 and 5-2 in conference action.
 
The two teams traded jabs, as Canisius picked up the first set win 25-18, before Quinnpiac answered 25-22 in the second frame, headed into intermission.
 
Out of the break, Canisius broke back, tallying the 25-22 victory, but again the Bobcats answered with a 25-21 fourth frame win.
 
The decisive fifth set proved to be a back-and-forth affair, with 15 plays that resulted in a tied score. However, with the score 18-18, Kaleigh Oates tallied a kill and an attack error by Claire Leonard helped seal the Griffs' fate.
 
Leonard led the team offensively with 14 kills, while Sara Wesley and Gabrielle Darnaby also tallied double-figures, tallying 11 and 10, respectively.
 
For the Bobcats, Natalie Alechko tallied a match-leading 25 kills and just nine errors, while Oates and Termotto also notched double-figures with 14 and 12, respectively.
 
Leah Simmons led the way at the net, recording 11 blocks, while Leonard had six and Andrea Diaz Lopez had five.
 
Sofia Lopez Acosta resumed her role as libero and paced the team with 21 digs, while Kristen Plukas (13), Donnett Hickson (11), Cassidy Ceriani (10) also had 10-or-more digs. Meanwhile Ceriani tallied her sixth double-double, recording a season-best 42 assists.
 
THOUGHTS FROM COACH VAZQUEZ
"Volleyball is one of the most exciting sports out there," Head Coach Lenika Vazquez said. "But we did a good job responding when Quinnipiac started to shift momentum its way, which is something we haven't necessary always done in the past. During those moments we had key people that really stepped up. One in particular is Gabrielle Darnaby today. She hit .286, had some blocks and kept our energy high during the match."
 
"I think defensively we definitely picked up a lot of balls. There were times where our defense didn't transition and during those times Quinnipiac took advantage. They got some kills at key moments, and we're definitely going to need some work in that area so teams can't take advantage of us during those times."
 
GAME NOTES
• With the loss Canisius drops to 10-2 all-time against the Bobcats and are now 8-2 in the last 10 matches.
• The win today is the first time Quinnipiac has tallied a victory at the Koessler Athletic Center.
• The teams' 15.5 blocks is the most they've had in a match since Oct. 5, 2013, when the Griffs tallied 18 against the Iona Gaels.
• Simmons' 11 blocks is a new career-high for the sophomore.
• Ceriani's 42 assists is a season-high.
• Ceriani tallied her sixth double-double of the season with her 42 assists and 10 digs.
 
UP NEXT
The Blue and Gold head on the road now for three matches, heading to Iona and Manhattan next Saturday and Sunday, and then against Niagara on Oct. 12. Next weekend's matches are slated for 1 p.m. starts, while the match against the Purple Eagles is scheduled for 6 p.m.