NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Bentley volleyball team got back to its winning ways in convincing fashion when the Falcons beat Southern Connecticut, 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-22), Friday evening.

Rachel Vitko put away a match-high 12 kills, and Sophia Poehlein added 10. Freshman Tory Vitko tallied a season-high 33 assists. It was her third match this season eclipsing 30 assists.

Jazzy Burke led all players in digs with 15, and she added a couple of service aces.

The Falcons and Owls were evenly matched in the first set. Bentley had a 14-11 lead before the Owls went on a run to take a 15-14 advantage. The teams were tied, 17-17, but then the Owls committed a couple errors and Burke served up an ace to give Bentley a three-point lead. The Falcons held the lead for the rest of the set.

Southern Connecticut raced out to a 9-4 lead in the second set, and it continued to lead by five points, 12-7. A kill by Poehlein sparked a 5-1 run for Bentley, bringing the Falcons to within 15-14. Consecutive Owl errors allowed the Falcons to claim the lead, 17-16. Lauren McCloskey put away two kills and Rachel Vitko added one of her own for three consecutive points, giving Bentley a comfortable 22-17 lead in the second set.

Although the Owls never led in the third set, they made it interesting by tying the score, 20-20. Kills by Poehlein allowed Bentley to stay in front, 22-21. The match ended with a kill by Rachel Vitko.
Bentley has another conference road match at Assumption Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m.