Bulldogs Take Final Two Sets in Victory

NEW HAVEN, Conn. –Junior  Bridget Hearst slammed a match-high 16 kills and Kendall Polan added 41 assists in her Yale volleyball debut to lead the Bulldogs to a season-opening 3-1 (25-16, 11-25, 25-19, 25-19) victory over Stony Brook at the Lee Amphitheater on Friday night to cap day one of the Yale Invitational.  Rhode Island defeated Quinnipiac, 3-0, earlier in the evening.

After splitting the first two games with the Seawolves (0-5), the Bulldogs took control in the third set.  With a 12-11 edge, Erica Reetz's kill began a Yale rally that sparked a 9-1 and an eventual 25-19 set victory.

"I think we were a little nervous at the start," Yale head coach Erin Appleman said.  "But, we eventually settled down and found confidence and rhythm."

Yale used another run midway through the fourth set to put the match away.  Tied at 12, the Bulldogs scored the next eight points thanks in part to three kills from McHaney Carter, two from Hearst, one from Katie Cordell and an ace from Reetz.  Polan closed out the match with a kill off an assist from Cordell. 

Senior captain Kelly Ozurovich led the way defensively for the Bulldogs with a match-high 22 digs.

"Kelly did a great job with her defense and passing tonight," Appleman added. 

Alicia Nelson had a team-best 12 kills for Stony Brook, which also received 27 assists from Corinne Perry.

The Bulldogs return the court on Saturday for day two of the Yale Invitational.  Yale hosts Quinnipiac at 1 p.m. and then concludes the weekend with a 7 p.m. match against Rhode Island.