FAIRFIELD, Conn. – In a battle between two Connecticut volleyball stalwarts, Quinnipiac got the better of the Sacred Heart University women's volleyball team, 3-1, in both teams' Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opener Saturday evening at the William H. Pitt Center. 

First years Abbie Hagedorn and Ryleigh Short highlighted the Pioneers' performers tonight. Hagedorn tallied a 10-kill, 10-dig double-double, her third of the season. Short was right with her classmate, finishing the night with 10 kills and nine digs. Sophomore libero Miliani Villarreal led SHU with 16 digs. 

Records:
Sacred Heart: 3-10, 0-1 MAAC
Quinnipiac: 4-9, 1-0 MAAC

Top Performers:
Ryleigh Short: 10 kills, 9 digs, 2 blocks, 1 ace
Abbie Hagedorn: 10 kills, 10 digs, 2 aces
Miliani Villarreal: 16 digs, 9 assists, 1 ace

How It Happened:
After a 25-14 loss in the opening set, the Pioneers started to rally in the second. The Bobcats held a 12-10 lead midway through the set before SHU swung the lead with a 3-0 surge to go up 13-12. A 5-0 spurt swung the momentum towards the visitors, while a 3-0 run a little later gave QU a 21-15 advantage. Sacred Heart then started a comeback attempt, scoring six of the following eight points to cut the margin to two, 23-21. Unfortunately for SHU, Quinnipiac held off the Pioneers to earn a 25-22 win. 

The Pios started the third set strong, leading 5-2 and 11-8 early on in the frame. The Bobcats answered by tying the score at 12-12. The teams traded the following few points before a 6-2 SHU surge gave the home team a 19-16 lead late in the game. Short highlighted the run with three straight kills. QU rallied to tie the score at both 22- and 24-all, but Sacred Heart tallied back-to-back points, capped by a powerful Cristina Montanez spike, to secure a thrilling 26-24 victory. 

Unfortunately for the Pioneers, a 10-0 run to start the fourth set by Quinnipiac proved to be too much to overcome. The Bobcats kept the foot on the pedal, claiming a 25-12 win to ice a four-set victory. 

Up Next:
Sacred Heart opens Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play at home on Friday, Sept. 26, with a 7 p.m. match against Quinnipiac at the William H. Pitt Center.