Worcester Polytechnic Institute

New London, CT --- Julia Colantuoni (Amherst, NH) recorded 13 kills, 14 digs and three aces to lead WPI to a 3-1 comeback victory over Mitchell in non-conference volleyball action Tuesday afternoon at the Yarnall Athletic Center. The Engineers dropped the opening set, 19-25, before rallying to win the next three, 25-23, 25-22 and 25-18, to open a rare split doubleheader with a win.
 
The Engineers improved to 9-8 overall with the victory, while the Mariners slipped to 2-10 on the season. Mitchell claimed the opening set before WPI responded to take control of the match.
 
Colantuoni recorded career highs in kills, digs and aces en route to her first career double-double. Phia Fisher (Chandler, AZ) contributed eight kills and five block assists, while Anysha Audrey (Land O'Lakes, FL) added seven kills and three block assists. Liz Higday (Chevy Chase, MD) orchestrated the offense with 30 assists and four aces.
 
Mitchell took the opening set, 25-19, after the teams battled to a 15-15 tie. The Mariners then scored six of the next nine points to open a 21-18 lead before closing out the set. WPI pulled within 24-19, but Mitchell secured the opening frame on the next point.
 
The Engineers responded in the second set, overcoming a 16-12 deficit to even the match. WPI scored three straight points to pull within 16-15 before tying the set at 17-17 on a kill by Fisher. After Mitchell moved back ahead, the teams were even again at 20-20. Shayna Hailey (Stoughton, MA) put WPI ahead 21-20 with a kill, and Higday followed with a service ace before Audrey delivered another kill to make it 24-21. Mitchell scored twice, but Colantuoni closed out the 25-23 victory with a kill.
 
The third set featured another comeback, as Mitchell built a 17-12 advantage. WPI steadily worked its way back, tying the score at 18-18 on a kill by Kylie Welcher (Los Angeles, CA). The teams remained close until Maura Oslosky (Pittsburgh, PA) helped the Engineers turn a 20-20 tie into a 24-20 lead with a key service run. Welcher finished the set with a kill, giving WPI a 25-22 victory and a 2-1 match advantage.
 
WPI carried that momentum into the fourth set. After Mitchell moved ahead 9-7, the Engineers answered with four straight points, including two service aces from Higday, to take an 11-9 lead. WPI continued to extend its advantage, with Colantuoni and Audrey contributing kills before the Engineers closed out the 25-18 set to secure the match.
 
Welcher finished with six kills and two aces, while Oslosky delivered three aces. Abby Harrington (Londonderry, NH) recorded 14 digs and an ace, and Christina Femino (Falmouth, MA) added five digs. As a team, WPI finished with 41 kills, 15 aces, 52 digs and seven total blocks.
 
Mitchell was paced by Cimber Jenkins (New Smyrna Beach, FL), who recorded 16 kills while hitting .448 and added 13 assists. Whitley Jones (Franklinton, NC) led the Mariners with 17 digs, while Chloe Maguire (Anaheim, CA) contributed five kills, three aces and nine digs.
 
WPI returns to action later this afternoon, traveling 4.7 miles across New London, CT, to face Connecticut College at 6pm in the second half of a rare split doubleheader. Mitchell is back on the court Wednesday, hosting Bay Path at 6pm.