Riverdale, NY - The University of Mount Saint Vincent took part in their first Skyline Conference matchup of the season inside the Sharp Center, going to battle with a strong St. Joseph's University Brooklyn squad. After the Dolphins secured wins in the first two sets, it was the Bears who walked away victorious in the five set thriller. 

The loss puts UMSV at 7-10 overall with a 1-2 record in conference play. 

"I'm obviously very disappointed with the way tonight went after going up the first two sets. To their credit, they steadied out and got a lot more aggressive, and we didn't adjust," said head coach Joseph Chojnacki. "Every conference match is so crucial and we let this one slip away. The good news is we have another opportunity on Saturday."

The first set was tightly battled, with the Dolphins clawing back in multiple instances. It started early when UMSV trailed 3-0, but they would rattle off five straight points, with Stephanie Rodriguez, Dominique Otranto, Sienna Martin and Carly Snyder each registering kills. The Dolphins would once again go on an impressive run, this time converting six straight rallies after trailing 15-10. The Dolphins would eventually earn a 25-33 set win. 

The success rolled into the second set in a major way. UMSV would wow their home fans with 12 straight points to open play. Rodriguez picked up two service aces while the offense featured a balanced attack. Sophia Mandalakis and Anna Nolasco impressed with five combined kills over that span while Otranto and Martin picked up additional points. The Bears would fight back, but it wouldn't be enough to overcome UMSV's success. 

From there, however, SJBK would take advantage. The visitors overpowered the Dolphins in sets three and four, winning by nine and six points, respectively. The final set was a back and forth affair, with the game tied at 11; but it was the Bears who walked away winners. 

Otranto had another impressive performance, tying for the team lead with 11 kills while adding two solo blocks and four assists, good for 15 points. Martin added 11 kills of her own while Nolasco (nine) and Mandalakis (eight) aided in the team's offensive outpouring. Snyder found success on both ends of the floor with a team-best 29 assists to go along with three aces. Alyssa Padgett had six kills and two solo blocks of her own while Rodriguez was all over the stat sheet with 29 assists, eight digs, seven service aces and a pair of kills. 

The Dolphins will return to action this coming Saturday out in King's Point to challenge USMMA.