KOELBEL DISHES OFF TEAM-HIGH 22 ASSISTS AS VOLLEYBALL FALLS TO NYIT, 3-0

Box Score vs. NYIT - October 13, 2009

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Oct. 13, 2009) - Freshman setter Jennifer Koelbel (West Hempstead N.Y.) set a team-best 22 assists on Tuesday evening, but it was not enough as the Molloy College volleyball team lost to NYIT, 3-0 (17-25, 23-25, 21-25), in an East Coast Conference match-up at Quealy Gymnasium in Rockville Centre, N.Y. With the defeat, the Lions fell to 7-15 overall and 2-5 in league play. As for the Bears, they improved to 8-11 and 3-3 against ECC opposition.

NYIT jumped out of the gate early as they scored seven of the first eight points in the opening set. With the score 7-1, sophomore middle hitter Catherine Russini (Westbury, N.Y.) brought MC within 7-5 off of three of her match-high four service aces. This two-point deficit was the closest Molloy came to re-taking the lead as the Bears went on a 7-1 run to make the score 14-6 off a kill from senior outside hitter Shelby Klein (Orange, Calif.), who registered a match-high 17 kills on the day. They went on to capture the first set 25-17.

Molloy jumped out to a 6-0 advantage in set two with help from an ace by Koelbel and a kill from sophomore right -side hitter Angelica Nicalek (Valley Stream, N.Y.). Following an NYIT timeout at 6-0, the Lions and Bears exchanged points until their lead evaporated to one point at 14-13 off a kill from freshman outside hitter Diana Briody (East Meadow, N.Y.). Eventually the entire lead dissipated when senior right side Lucy Ferraro (Smithtown, N.Y.) recorded an ace to even the score at 17-all.

Molloy fought back to take a 22-20 advantage courtesy of a Liz Moulder (Wantagh, N.Y.) kill. Sophomore middle blocker/ right-side hitter Ali Falbo's (Costa Mesa, Calif.) kill knotted the score at 22-22 and the Bears took the second set with a kill from Klein.

Molloy fell behind 5-0 to start the third frame off of two Sirdas kills. Following a Lions' timeout at the 5-0 mark, the Bears would take a six point lead at 13-7 with another Sirdas kill. Molloy pulled within 15-13 off a kill from freshman outside hitter Jenna Faggione (Hicksville, N.Y.). NYIT built their lead back to eight points.

Junior outside hitter Arielle Wichard's (Merrick, N.Y.) attack was turned aside by Briody and sophomore setter Emily Syers (East Meadow, N.Y.) to make the score 24-16. The Lions showed some heart, scoring five straight points off of two attack errors and two Wichard kills. NYIT went on to win 25-21.

Head Coach Kevin Quiambao and his squad return to the court this Thursday as Molloy opens up a two-match road trip in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. against East Coast Conference opponent Mercy College. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.