Purchase, NY (Oct. 23, 2018) – In a non-conference match originally scheduled to take place on the road, the Purchase College women's volleyball team dropped a 3-2 decision on its home court against the University of St. Joseph (CT).

The Panthers (3-15) lost the first set 25-10 but bounced back to record a 26-24 win over USJ (10-14) in game two. The teams exchanged wins again in the next two sets as the Blue Jays notched a 25-17 victory in game three, followed by PC's 26-24 triumph in game four.  In the fifth and deciding set, USJ went on an 8-5 run to win the set 15-10.

In the opener, Panther freshman Gia Gwin (Yonkers, NY) recorded a set-best three kills on six total attempts (.500). The Panthers could not shut down the Blue Jay attack however, as the visitors combined for nine kills and four service aces to win the set 25-10.

To start the second set, Purchase took a 3-2 lead on a Sommer Code (FR/Bronx, NY) kill, assisted by Karina Medina (FR/Brooklyn, NY). USJ fired back with four points on two PC errors and kills from Aminah Tsonga and Hannah Benson.

Down 10-5, a Panther timeout called by head coach Albana Munrett Krasniqi seemed to do the trick as Purchase went on a 5-3 run to force the opposing bench to use a timeout. Purchase tied the score and took the lead 15-14 on back-to-back attacking errors from Tsonga.

Purchase would hold the lead until its match point. Up 24-22, PC gave up three points on two errors and a Blue Jay kill. The Panthers would score the next two points though to secure the 26-24 set victory.

After dropping the third set, 25-17, Purchase came out roaring in the fourth take a 10-5 opening lead. The Panthers scored three straight points on a Code kill and two USJ erros to win the set, 26-24.

Both teams exchanged the lead to start the final set. The Blue Jays, however, took a 5-4 lead on a Purchase service error and never looked back. The visitors outscored PC 11-6 on their way to winning the set 15-10.

Code led the Panthers with 12 kills while tying teammate Skyla Schoppmeyer (FR/Oakdale, NY) with two service aces. Grace Ann Gropp (FR/Webster, NY) added 10 kills, while Medina tallied a team-high 34 assists.

Leading the defense, Schoppmeyer notched a game-best 26 digs and Code and Isis Gonzalez (JR/Brooklyn, NY) chipped in with 15 digs apiece. Joetta Francis (JR/New York, NY) tied USJ's Torrie Epps with a match-best two digs.

Up next, the Panthers are on the road to take on non-conference rival Baruch College this Thursday at 7 p.m.