CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Saint Joseph's College (2-0) blanked Lesley University (0-2), 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-16), in a non-conference volleyball match on Saturday afternoon. Senior middle blocker Felicia Wachowiak (Milton, N.H.) tallied 12 kills with seven total blocks (three solo) in the sweep.

Junior Shadai Gosselin (Somersworth, N.H.) accompanied Wachowiak at the net with eight kills while totaling 13 digs and freshman libero Jennelle Thompson (Farmington, N.H.) anchored the defense with 17 digs. Junior Mariah Hebert (Biddeford, Maine) finished with 27 assists and junior Victoria Huntley (Ellsworth, Maine) contributed six kills and 18 digs in the triumph.

The Lynx were led by freshman Kaylee Deluga (Dennis, Mass.) who finished with a match-high 14 kills on 21 attempts and senior Anthea Rathjens (Sudbury, Mass.) added eight kills for the hosts. Sophomore Anni Abbruzzese (Croton on Hudson, N.Y.) added seven kills, senior libero Danielle McDonald (Lilitz, Pa.) totaled 19 digs and classmate Emily Marden (Fremont, Calif.) posted a match-best 32 assists to go with 15 digs in the loss.

After dropping the set 25-16, the Lynx jumped out to a 15-7 lead to start the second set. Abbruzzese led the charge for the hosts as she buried four kills on the run. Later in the set, with the Lynx leading 19-12, the Monks went on an 8-1 streak to knot the set at 20-20. Lesley would use a brief 3-1 spurt to come within two points of tying the match at 1-1, but Saint Joseph's rallied to score four unanswered points en route to taking the second set 25-23 and 2-0 match lead. Wachowiak supplied a pair of kills in the final moments for the Monks while the Lynx also committed a pair of errors.

Saint Joseph's fell behind 9-7 early in the third set before going on a 6-0 run and never looking back as they sprinted to the 25-16 set win to close out the match 3-0. Wachowiak again was the big hitter for the Monks as she knocked down five kills in the final set.

The Lynx will now kick off a four-match road trip starting on Tuesday when they travel to Eastern Nazarene College at 7:00p for a non-conference match. Conversely, the Monks will start a four-match home stand on Tuesday when they play host to Colby College. First serve for that match is also slated for 7:00p.

COURTESY OF LESLEY SPORTS INFORMATION

BEYOND THE BOX

• Saint Joseph's improves to 7-3 all-time versus Lesley University and avenges a 3-0 loss at the hands of the Lynx last season
• The Monks have kicked off a new season with consecutive wins in five of Head Coach Yamile Nolan's six seasons at the helm – and 12th time in the last 27 years overall
• Wachowiak has recorded at least 10 kills in six-consecutive matches, a streak that began versus Lasell College on October 25th of last season, and has boasted 10 or more kills in 51 different matches during her career

UP NEXT

• Saint Joseph's is 11-26 versus Colby College since the 1989 season, but has not faced the Mules since 2004
• Colby enters Tuesday's match having defeated St. Joe's in 13-consecutive matches
• The Monks have not defeated the Mules since October 30th, 1996
• Colby, which went 13-11 last fall, kicks off the 2015 season versus Saint Joseph's on Tuesday

#GOMONKS

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Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 474-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.