PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Pace University Volleyball faced one of its toughest tests of the season Saturday afternoon, falling in straight sets to RV American International College squad at Goldstein Fitness Center. The Yellow Jackets took the match 25-19, 25-13, 25-23, moving the Setters to 5-6 on the season.
The opening set remained within reach for Pace through the middle stages. The Setters trailed 19-14 before three straight points cut the deficit to two, but AIC responded by taking six of the final eight points to secure the first set.
American International took control earlier in the second. A 12-1 run turned a 6-5 contest into an 18-6 advantage, and Pace was unable to recover as the Yellow Jackets moved ahead two sets to none.
The Setters saved their best offensive performance for the third. After falling behind 12-8, Pace chipped away and eventually erased the deficit with a 5-0 run, taking a 21-20 lead on a Paola Ortiz kill.
AIC answered with four consecutive points to reach match point. Pace fought off two of them, including a Jaliyah Johnson kill that made it 24-23, before the Yellow Jackets closed the match on the next rally.
Kadence Ackmann and Keelah Chambliss paced a balanced Pace attack with five kills apiece, while Ortiz and Maggie Hamed each added four. Johnson provided three kills on seven attempts for a .429 hitting percentage.
Aralyn Saulys handed out a team-high 13 assists, with Camila Rodriguez adding 10. Alice Bender led the defensive effort with 13 digs, while Ortiz added eight.
Pace finished with 26 kills and 37 digs and produced its strongest set offensively in the third, hitting .270 with 14 kills.
The Setters return to action Tuesday, Sept. 29, when they host Adelphi University at 7pm .
