PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – A late comeback and a strong defensive effort helped Pace University Women's Volleyball secure a thrilling five-set victory over Franklin Pierce University on Friday evening at Goldstein Fitness Center. The Setters improved to 9-10 overall and 4-2 in Northeast 10 Conference play following the 26-24, 17-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-13 victory.
The opening set featured 16 ties and nine lead changes as both teams traded points throughout. Pace put together an efficient offensive performance, recording 15 kills on a .289 hitting percentage to edge the Ravens, 26-24, and take an early advantage.
Franklin Pierce responded by claiming the next two sets, 25-17 and 25-21, putting the Setters in a position where they needed to win the final two frames to secure the match.
Pace answered in the fourth, battling through 11 ties and three lead changes. The Blue and Gold held Franklin Pierce to a .036 hitting percentage in the frame and pulled away late for a 25-21 victory, forcing a decisive fifth set.
With the match on the line, the Setters delivered their strongest offensive output since the opening frame, collecting 11 kills in the fifth set. Four ties and four lead changes highlighted the back-and-forth finish before Pace secured the final two points to claim the 15-13 victory.
Kadence Ackmann and Jaliyah Johnson led the offense with 12 kills apiece. Ackmann added 19 digs and two block assists, while Johnson contributed eight digs and a solo block. Ileann Alessandra Perez turned in an efficient performance with 10 kills on a .381 hitting percentage, along with a solo block and two block assists.
Alice Bender anchored the defensive effort with a match-high 32 digs and three service aces. Aralyn Saulys dished out a team-leading 21 assists, added nine digs and recorded two aces, while Camila Rodriguez finished with 15 assists and nine digs.
Kendall Quinones contributed seven kills on a .300 hitting percentage, while Paola Ortiz added eight kills and eight digs.
As a team, Pace totaled 52 kills, 100 digs, five service aces and seven total blocks, overcoming a 2-1 deficit to earn its fourth conference victory of the season.
The Setters return to Goldstein Fitness Center on Wednesday, Oct. 28, to host Monroe University at 7:00 p.m. With the postseason quickly approaching, Pace will look to build on its momentum as it enters the final stretch of the regular season.
