WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross volleyball team battled nonconference opponent Central Connecticut State and fell in five sets 3-2 on Saturday afternoon in Blaney Gymnasium.

Holy Cross concludes nonconference play at 2-7 while the win pushes the Blue Devils mark to 1-6.

Junior right side Gracie Reisman posted a career-high 26 kills hitting .396 off 53 total attacks to go with four digs and a season-best four total blocks. Freshman Gabby Wold set new personal-bests with 16 kills and a team-high matching 17 digs for her second straight double-double and fourth of the season. Sophomore middle blocker Maeve Bailey hit .500 with a career-bests in kills (11) and total blocks (6).

SET SCORES:
Blue Devils 3, Crusaders 2 (21-25, 26-24, 25-22, 22-25, 12-15)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• CCSU scored the opening four points of the match. Their lead expanded to five, 8-3 following a Crusader attack error. Bailey and senior middle blocker Rian Millership gave the Crusaders their first lead at 11-10 teaming up for a dual block. Trailing by four, 22-18 the Crusaders strung together three points getting a pair of Wold kills and a freshman middle blocker Winn Godier ace bringing the hosts within one. The Blue Devils scored the final points to take the set.
• Holy Cross held a 10-6 lead in the second set. A Crusader attack miscue leveled the match before Reisman pummeled a ball from the outside for the 15-14 edge at the media timeout. Wold connected for a kill to increase the lead to 19-15. CCSU used a 7-4 spurt to come within one 23-22. The set needed extra serves and Holy Cross earned the final two points.
• Three straight points in the third set from Holy Cross gave them an 11-9 lead. Another Bailey kill increased the margin to 20-16. A Wold kill coupled with two straight blocks from Reisman and Bailey upped the score to 23-17. CCSU came within two 24-22 until Holy Cross clinched the set.
• The Blue Devils doubled up the Crusaders 8-4 in the fourth set. The freshmen duo of Godier and Wold pulled the Crusaders within two, 16-14. Behind 22-17, the Crusaders used a 5-1 spurt to drop the deficit to 23-22. CCSU posted the final two points to force the fifth set.
• CCSU started strong in the fifth set and held an 8-4 lead at the side change. It grew to 11-5 then Holy Cross slowly started to crawl back using another 5-1 binge making it 12-10. Back-to-back Reisman mashes brought the Crusaders within two points. CCSU produced the final point to complete the comeback.

INSIDE THE BOX:

• Reisman's 26 kills are the most during a single game in the Patriot League this year.
• 10 of Reisman's 26 kills came during the second set where she hit .667.
• Junior setter Katie Russell set a new career-high with 31 assists.
• Freshman setter Lily Torrence double-doubled for the second time this season with 12 assists and 11 digs.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross begins Patriot League play on Friday, Sept. 20 against Bucknell.
• First serve is set for 7 p.m.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross volleyball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
Twitter - @HCrossVB | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrossvb | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Volleyball | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross