Central Connecticut Gets First Win in Comeback at Holy Cross
Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) earned their first win of the 2024 season in thrilling fashion, overcoming Holy Cross in a five-set battle on September 14th. The Blue Devils displayed remarkable resilience and composure to stage a comeback victory, securing the match 3-2 with scores of 25-21, 24-26, 22-25, 25-22, and 15-12.
CCSU started strong, taking the first set 25-21 behind a balanced offensive attack. Weronika Poczynek and Lauren Milani led the charge with key kills, supported by a solid defense anchored by libero Annabelle Denomme, who racked up 16 digs. The Blue Devils capitalized on errors by Holy Cross and used efficient sideout plays to maintain control throughout the set.
Holy Cross responded in the second set, seizing the momentum with a 26-24 win. Gracie Reisman dominated at the net, tallying 10 kills and a hitting percentage of .667 for the match, while Gabby Wold added crucial kills to keep Holy Cross in the game. Despite CCSU’s efforts, including strong play from Olivia Keckler, who finished with 13 kills and 16 points overall, Holy Cross edged out the Blue Devils in a tight second set.
The third set saw Holy Cross extend their lead, winning 25-22. Central Connecticut struggled to find consistency on offense, hitting just .061 as a team. Despite the best efforts of CCSU’s blockers, including Keckler and Amanda Tokam, who combined for several blocks, Holy Cross took advantage of transition errors and key digs from their libero, Emma Halstead, to win the set.
CCSU showed their resilience in the fourth set, rallying to take the set 25-22. Milani and Poczynek were pivotal, combining for 36 kills throughout the match, with Milani contributing 18 and Poczynek adding 18 of her own. Setter Larissa Hiemer distributed the ball efficiently, finishing the game with 50 assists, ensuring CCSU’s offense remained unpredictable. The Blue Devils tightened up defensively, holding Holy Cross to a .225 hitting percentage in the set and forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the final set, CCSU surged ahead early with strong serves from Poczynek and key kills from Milani. Holy Cross made a late push, but CCSU's defense, led by Denomme and Tokam, who added 9.5 points and key blocks, shut the door on the Crusaders’ comeback attempts. The Blue Devils secured the set 15-12 and clinched their first win of the season in dramatic fashion.
This comeback victory for CCSU showcased their tenacity and ability to perform under pressure. After dropping the second and third sets, the Blue Devils regrouped and showed strong defensive discipline, coupled with offensive variety, to secure the win. Holy Cross put up a formidable fight, led by Reisman, but CCSU’s depth and determination carried them to their first win of the season.
