NEW BRITAIN, CONN. – The Holy Cross volleyball team started the 2026 season with a thrilling five set match rallying from a 2-0 deficit before falling to Central Connecticut State 3-2 Friday evening at Detrick Gymnasium during the opening day of the Central Connecticut Tournament.
The loss sends the Crusaders to 0-1 on the year while Blue Devils move to 1-0.
SET SCORES:
Blue Devils 3, Crusaders 2 (21-25, 15-25, 25-18, 30-28, 11-15)
HOW IT HAPPENED:Â
- A block from freshman setter Drew Flanagan and junior middle blocker Lacey Murphy put Holy Cross in the lead at 8-7. Tied at 13 all, four in a row from CCSU pushed them back ahead 17-13. The Crusaders leveled the opening set 20-20 following a trio of Blue Devil miscues. The hosts posted the final five markers to take the 1-0 match lead.
- CCSU began the second set on a 6-1 spurt to lead early. They built an 11-3 edge until a Flanagan ace cut into the lead at 13-7. Junior setter Tuana Ozarpaci placed an ace putting Holy Cross down five, 16-11. CCSU won the set 25-15.
- The Crusader comeback began in the third set trailing 4-0 they strung together five straight markers off back-to-back senior outside hitter Georgia Murphy aces for the 5-4 lead. Holding a slim 10-9 advantage, the Crusaders went on a 6-1 burst capped off by a freshman right side Kat Teepe kill making it 16-10. The Blue Devils dropped the deficit to three with a dual block. A freshman right side Sarahya College and sophomore middle blocker Isa Glover block reestablished a multiple point lead at 22-15 before Holy Cross took the set 25-18.
- The fourth set picked up late with the Crusaders holding a 23-20 lead hoping to force a fifth set. Four straight put the contest at match point, 24-23 Blue Devils. Holy Cross tied the match with a sophomore outside hitter Emma Sorensen to Glover connection and junior defensive specialist Alana Whitwell found College for set point. CCSC staved off defeat coming to match point three more times before the Crusaders got a CCSU service error, a kill from Sorensen and a Sorensen and freshman middle blocker Nora Benjamins block completed the 30-28 set victory.
- Holy Cross tied the fifth set four times but could not capture the lead as CCSU pulled away late to earn the victory.
INSIDE THE BOX:
- Sorensen recorded a double-double with a team-high 16 kills and 11 digs. It was her eighth career double-double effort.
- Teepe, making her collegiate debut was second on the team with 12 kills.
- Glover hit .714 from the middle across three sets posting five kills.
- The Crusaders hit .326 in the fourth and .353 in the fifth sets.
- Georgia Murphy was a perfect 19-for-19 on receptions.
- Benjamins, Teepe, Flanagan, College and Mullen made their collegiate debuts.
UP NEXT:
- The Crusaders wrap up their weekend on Saturday, August 29 with a pair of contests against Siena (11 a.m.) and Rhode Island (2 p.m.)
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