Box Score

New Rochelle, NY (Sept. 12, 2013) – The Purchase College volleyball team had a close comeback against the College of New Rochelle on Thursday evening but fell short after five sets, 13-25, 21-25, 27-25, 25-15, 7-15.   

The Blue Angels jumped out to a 2-0 advantage and was able to hold the Panther rally to emerge with the 3-2 victory.

Purchase came out slow, falling behind by six points ealy in the first set. New Rochelle continued to build and gained a 12-point lead to conclude the game.  

In the second set, with a score of 18-11 in favor of the Blue Angels, the Panthers rallied to tie the game at 18 off of service from Mildi Rodriguez (JR/Yokers, NY).  

Both teams battled to the end with CNR coming out on top after Purchase's right side hitter, Jade Hackett (SO/Mount Vernon, NY) went down with an ankle injury on the last point.

Defensive specialist LeiAnna Frazier (SR/Brooklyn, NY) was called upon to play in the front row for the first time this season. Purchase thrived on the change, winning the third set 27-25.   

The fourth set included some of the best volleyball Purchase fans saw all evening.

The freshman trio of setter Olivia Schoeller (FR/Ronkonkoma, NY), middle hitter Alex Lally (FR/Sunnyvale, TX) and outside hitter Alicia McCarthy (FR/Plano, TX) hit their stride combining for 12 kills, 12 assists and five aces.  

With the match tied 2-2, both teams prepared for the final deciding set to begin.

Once again, the Blue Angels took and early lead, shutting out Purchase until the sixth point of the game. The Panthers struggled to comeback from the five-point deficit as New Rochelle pressed to win the game 15-7. 

Top hitters for the final match were Lally and McCarthy with 16 kills, followed by Cathryn Mulvey (SR/Scarsdale, NY) with 11. Schoeller posted a season high 39 assists.

The Panthers, now 2-2 overall, look to bounce back Tuesday at Sarah Lawrence.    
 
- With Marc Solondz