Purchase, NY (Sept. 26, 2017) – A valiant effort by the Purchase College women's volleyball pushed visiting Albertus Magnus to the brink, as the Falcons won in four long sets (25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 25-20).

The Panthers (0-8) managed to tie the match at 1-1, but fell just short over the final two sets, losing by five points in the third and fourth, respectively.

The match was one of the best on the early season for Purchase. All sets were determined by five points or fewer, as the hosts extended the Falcons (10-6) throughout.

Highlights of the match for Purchase included a fierce service game from Katie Haynes (SR/Johnson City, NY) and some key defensive blocks from Joetta Francis (SO/New York, NY), both of which sealed the victory in set two.

The Panthers rallied behind the serve of Haynes several times. Offensively, Purchase featured strong performances from Maura Gribbins (JR/Buffalo, NY), Kaitlyn Pillig (JR/Mamaroneck, NY) and Haynes. Gribbins finished the night with a match-high 18 kills, pairing that with three aces and one assist. Pillig netted six kills, one assist and 17 digs – good for second on the team with Alex Lally (SR/Mesquite, TX).

Defensively, libero Isis Gonzalez (SO/New York, NY) also turned in a memorable evening. She finished with a match-high 20 digs, sharing the evening's lead with Magnus' Genesis Cora Luquis. Francis also keyed the defense with her prowess at the net.

Lally was inserted as setter in the lineup and handed out a team-best 27 assists.  

The Falcons rebounded from the set two loss behind Luquis, Kimberly Keller and Delaney Ruiz. The trio combined for 29 total kills, including a team-high 12 from Luquis. Keller added three blocks, while setter Marielis Muriel dished 34 assists. Muriel also contributed 15 digs on the defensive end.