Rachel Bruno
Rachel Bruno

Bentley Starts Fast But Falls to 1st-Place New Haven in 4

WEST HAVEN, Conn. --   Bentley University junior Rachel Bruno (San Diego, Calif./Francis Parker HS) had a match-high 13 kills and sophomore teammate Kirsten Segaline (Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain HS) followed with 12, but it wasn't enough as the Falcons dropped a 3-1 decision to the University of New Haven in Northeast-10 Conference women's volleyball Friday evening at the Charger Gymnasium.

Bentley started fast with a 25-14 win in the opening set, but the conference-leading Chargers answered by taking the next three, 25-19, 25-22 and 25-10.

In that strong early showing, Bentley hit .294 with senior setter Krista Campbell (Newtown, Pa./ Council Rocks North HS) assisting on 12 of the team's 13 kills. Bruno and Segaline led the attack with five kills apiece.

Of the final three sets, the third was the most competitive. The Falcons led 20-19 after a Segaline kill before the Chargers closed with a 6-2 spurt.

New Haven (20-4, 9-1 NE10) was led by junior Mallory Nowicki (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and senior Camille Garden (Atlanta, Ga.), with 12 and 11 kills respectively. Garden hit .429 and also was involved in eight kills. Senior Brianna Mirmina (Bethany, Conn.) led the way with 20 digs and New Haven also received 28 assists, 13 digs, three aces and two blocks from senior Kristine Rios (Miami, Fla.).

Bruno hit .269 and led the Falcons with three blocks.

Bentley, after 13 kills and three errors in the opening set, amassed 27 kills and 25 errors during the final three.

The Falcons (8-15, 4-5 NE10) return to action Tuesday at Assumption Colleg