Volleyball Splits Matches at SCSU to Begin 2024

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – On the first day of the 2024 regular season, the University of Bridgeport's volleyball team split a pair of matches at Southern Connecticut State on Friday. The Purple Knights (1-1) swept the Owls in the afternoon before dropping a five-setter to Queens College at night.

Match One – Bridgeport 3, SCSU 0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-19)
It was a trio of Purple Knights that led the way in a dominant opener. Hailey Jessen and Paola Hernandez combined for 19 kills while Jaden Drollinger racked up 24 assists and seven aces.

Jessen hit .292 for her 10 putaways while also adding five digs. Hernandez neared a double-double with nine kills and nine digs.

Defensively, Kenyce Johnson led UB with 11 digs in her Purple Knights debut.

Collectively, Bridgeport recorded a team hitting percentage of .240 while piling up 47 total digs.

Match Two – Queens 3, Bridgeport 2 (25-22, 14-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-6)
Sophomore Grace Presswood broke out in the finale with team-highs in both kills (17) and digs (16). She also hit a sensational .395 which was a match best on either side.

Hernandez joined Presswood with a double-double of her own courtesy of 12 kills and 10 digs. Jessen also reached double-figure putaways with 11.

Drollinger served as UB's main distributor once again. The reigning CACC Setter of the Year registered 42 assists (match high), nine digs and two aces.

UP NEXT
The Purple Knights will travel to Pleasantville, N.Y. on Tuesday night to take on Pace University.