NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Providence College volleyball team lost its first two matches of the Columbia University Tournament on Sept. 16. The Friars played the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and Columbia on the first day of competition.
The first match featured four close sets against UMBC. The Friars lost the first sets 17-25 and 22-25 before bouncing back to take the third set, 25-21. Providence then lost the fourth set and the match, 21-25. Sophomore
Megan Onyundo (Woodbridge, Va.) played a strong match, recording a double-double with 14 kills and 10 digs. Onyundo led the team with kills while
Jenae Alderson (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) played well in support, recording nine digs in only two sets played.
Chicyia Clark (Huntington Beach, Calif.) tallied 40 assists and defensive specialist
Michelle Cruz (Midland Park, N.J.) recorded 19 digs for Providence.
UMBC had strong performances from Abbie Mirabella, Claudia Lopez and Kristin Watson. Mirabella had 26 kills, Lopez recorded 49 assists and Watson tallied 28 digs for the Retrievers.
The Friars returned to action to play Columbia in their second match of the day. The Friars lost in straight sets to the Lions.
Allison Impellizeri (Seaford, N.Y.) and Onyundo led the Friars' attack, recorded eight kills each. Onyundo also led the defensive efforts for Providence, recording 10 digs. Clark again led the Friars in assists with 27.
Columbia was led by Luciana Del Valle's double-double of 12 kills and 11 digs.
Providence's next match is against Fordham at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 17. The Friars then wrap up the Columbia University Tournament with a match at 7:30 p.m. against Hartford.