Video Highlights | Postgame Interview
BALTIMORE - The UMBC volleyball squad overcame a tough first set defeat and swept the final three, capturing a 3-1 victory over Stony Brook in the America East Conference opener for both squads.
The Retrievers (6-10 overall) prevailed, 25-25, 25-16, 25-21, 25-18.
The defending America East Conference championships turned the tide of the match by rallying from a 17-8 deficit and capturing the pivotal third set.
"We showed up a little timid," said Head Coach Cristina Robertson. "But we picked it up, had each other's backs and played with a lot of passion and did really well against a really good Stony Brook team."
Retriever freshman Mia Bilusic (Zagreb, Croatia) continued her outstanding play, putting away a season-best kills. Graduate student Grace Rigsbee (Suwanee, Ga.) produced a brilliant fourth set, and totaled 13 kills for the match.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Bilusic got off to a hot start and UMBC led, 22-19, before the Seawolves scored three straight points to tie the set. The Retrievers had a set point, at 25-24, but were ruled to have a touch on an apparent mishit by SBU. The Seawolves reeled off two more points to capture the set.
- With the score tied at 6-6, UMBC outscored SBU, 10-5, to gain control of the second set.
- The Retrievers made multiple errors to start the third set and fell behind, 6-0, and 17-8. They still trailed, 20-16, but then rattled off six consecutive points and took the lead on a combined block by junior Andjelija Draskovic (Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia) and freshman Lauren Cox (Bendigo, Australia). After SBU cut the gap to 22-21, Bilusic put away back-to-back balls and sophomore Beste Ayhan (Istanbul, Turkey) recorded the game-winner.
- UMBC held onto an 18-17 lead before closing the set and match on a 7-1 run. Rigsbee put away three kills in that run and sophomore Aysia Miller (Miliani, Hawaii) ended the match with a down-the-line kill.
STAT AND NOTE CHECK
- Bilusic (23/14 digs) and Miller (10 kills/17 digs) both posted double-doubles.
- Draskovic amassed 46 assists in the four-setter, while Loren Teter (Redondo Beach, Calif.) hit the 20-dig plateau.
- The Retriever defense held SBU to .020 and .047 hitting in the final two sets. UMBC played well at the net in the final two sets, amassing 18 total blocks for the match.
- UMBC extended its winning streak over SBU to four and has narrowed the all-time series deficit to 20-18.
UP NEXT
The Retrievers head out on the road to face UNH and Hartford on Friday and Sunday respectively.
