Box Score Purchase, NY
(Oct. 1, 2014) – The women's volleyball roster has seen some changes the last week and the latest version hit the court Wednesday night at home, welcoming a strong non-conference opponent to Purchase in USMMA.
The Mariners went on to a 3-0 win, improving to 13-3 on the fall. Although the Panthers (2-15) fell in straight sets,
head coach Marc Solondz was encouraged by his updated roster, which includes newcomers and multi-sport athletes
Nicole Fortuna (SO/New Rochelle, NY),
April Uhl (SO/Jackson Heights, NY),
Jasmine Rippey (SR/Deansboro, NY),
Samantha Rich (JR/Providence, RI) and the return of defensive specialist
Mildi Rodriguez (SR/Yonkers, NY).
Unfortunately, the Panthers were still without standout setter
Alex Lally (SO/Sunnyvale, TX), who is nursing her way back from a concussion.
Undermanned, Purchase also recently added newcomer
Ashlei Cummings (SO/Laurelton, NY), who was joined in the starting lineup by Uhl, Fortuna, Rodriguez, Rippey,
Emily Seto (SO/North Brunswick, NJ) and
Victoria Blum (SO/Bronx, NY).
Injuries and personal changes have remolded the roster moving forward for the Panthers. A key addition is expected to be
Mary Adams (SO/Milton, PA) – another two-sport athlete, who was geared up and ready to start Wednesday night before an injury in pre-match warm-ups kept her sidelined.
USMMA won the first set 25-7 and duplicated the score in the middle set before the Panthers showed their mettle in a competitive 25-12 finale.
Solondz said he saw some promising results from his retooled roster, something he believes the program can build off of next time out. Four players finished with kills and the team totaled five service aces and 14 digs in defeat.
USMMA was led by Amanda See, Jennifer Perkins and Rebecca Synder, who each finished with four kills, registering 12 of the team's 24 in that category. Cassandra Palma added 12 service aces in the victory.
The Panthers return to action at home on Oct. 8, when Purchase welcomes Brooklyn College for a 7 p.m. start.
