ASHLAND, Ohio – Rounding out the opening weekend of the 2023 season, the D'Youville University women's volleyball team went 0-2 on the final day of the Ashland University Tournament on Saturday including a hard-fought match against the host school.
 
D'Youville (1-3) vs. New Haven (L, 8-25, 14-25, 11-25)
 
First Set
The Saints found themselves down early in the set as the Chargers went on an 11-0 run to start play. Senior Eve Musielak halted the run, getting the kill off the feed from freshman Mitha Hatwar. DYU got another point thanks to an attacking error from New Haven.
 
The Chargers got two points back before the Saints responded with three points of their own. Junior Emily Fischer and freshman Madeline O'Brien each got kills during the spurt, both assisted by Hatwar. The other point was reward by a New Haven error to make it 13-5.
 
New Haven was able to extend their lead, scoring four unanswered points to help them win the set win.
 
Second Set
Looking to get in their rhythm, DYU went tic-for-tat with the Chargers as the teams were tied at 4-4 thanks in part to three kills by freshman Giselle Ramirez. New Haven was able to create some separation, scoring the set's six of the next seven points to take a 10-5 lead.
 
The Saints answered with a pair of point of their own with a kill by Hatwar and an ace by junior Samantha Killane. New Haven was able to build a lead, by as many as six through the set, before DYU closed the gap to three points to make it 16-13. O'Brien and Ramirez helped close the gap with kills with Hatwar setting them up.
 
The Chargers were able to regain the momentum, going on a 9-1 run to close out the set.
 
Third Set
New Haven was able to carry over the momentum in the start of the third frame, opening up the set with a 10-0 lead. The Saints were able to get on the board, getting a kill from sophomore Isabelle Prentince. The Chargers got the point back by DYU responded with an assisted block from Fischer and Prentince followed by an ace from O'Brien to make it 11-3.
 
The Saints battled throughout the set but were able to close the gap by eight points on several occasions but could not get past the roadblock.
 
D'Youville at Ashland (L, 22-25, 21-25, 25-18)
 
First Set
The Saints got out to a quick start, going up 2-0 with two errors committed by the Eagles. Ashland did respond, scoring the next four points to get the lead. DYU kept within striking distance, but Ashland went up 8-4.
 
Facing a four-point deficit, D'Youville went on a 5-1 to square the set up at 10-10. During the run, the Saints were led by seniors Eve Musielak and Brianna Damstetter, Killane, and Rameriz.
 
DYU recaptured a 13-12 lead with a kill from Rameriz and an ace from Killane. The Eagles scored the next three points and maintained the lead to get the set win.
 
Second Set
DYU came out much like the first set, get an early 3-1 lead with points scored by Killane via an ace and a kill. Ashland scored the next three points to retake a 4-3 lead.
 
The Saints battled back from multiple four-point deficits and closed the lead to two o two occasions. The final stretch DYU put together to have a chance came when they went on a 4-1 to make it 22-20 in favor of the Eagles. During the run, D'Youville got kills from Musielak, Rameriz, and Fischer.
 
Ashland closed the set out, scoring three of the final set points.
 
Third Set
Looking to extend the weekend, DYU once again came out strong, getting an early 5-3 lead with two kills coming from O'Brine and one from Rameriz. Ashland got the lead back, scoring three unanswered.
 
DYU got their final lead of the set with a kill from Musielak and a block by Rameriz to make it 8-7. The Eagles got their final lead and pushed their lead to 16-10.
 
The Saints dug down deep, rattling off six straight points to square the set up at 16-16. During the stretch, DYU were beneficiaries from Ashland's mistakes, getting four points by errors to help tie it up.
 
Ashland put together one final run, scoring five unanswered to help take the set.
 
D'Youville Notes
O'Brien continued her strong start to her freshman campaign, adding 22 more kills to the weekend. Hatwar has also had a string start to her freshman season, collecting 26 assists between the two matches.
 
Up Next
The Saints will be back in action next Friday, September 8th, as they host the D'Youville University Tournament. The Saints will face West Liberty at 1 p.m. and East Stroudsburg at 5 p.m. On Saturday, DYU will take on Saint Rose at 10 a.m. and Lake Erie at 2 p.m.