NEWPORT, R.I. – Simmons volleyball (2-5) dropped a mid-week non-conference match to Salve Regina University (3-3) at the Rodgers Recreation Center on Thursday evening. Sophomore Joenissa Ortiz registered her first double-double of the season, tallying 16 kills and 15 digs. 

The Sharks faced a tall task after losing the first two sets to go down 0-2 early and the outlook looked ominous at the start of the third set. Salve Regina jumped out to a 7-1 lead, but Simmons responded. A pair of kills Ortiz and sophomore April Beatty and a solo block by Nalani Majkia brought the Sharks back to within three points, 7-4.

A service error by the Sharks put the Seahawks back up once again by four, but the Sharks offense answered, rattling of a 6-1 run to take a 10-9 lead. For the next 14 points it was a back-and-fourth battle with eight ties and four lead changes before the Seahawks took a two-point advantage, 19-17, with a 3-0 and forced Simmons to call its first time out.

The timeout afforded the Sharks an opportunity to reset themselves as they went on a 4-0 run, capped off by back-to-back services by Ortiz to take a 21-19 lead. Despite the Seahawks battling their way back to tie up the set twice, the momentum was clearly favoring the Sharks. With the match all square at 25-25, Beatty and Majkia extended the match with back-to-back kills.

Momentum appeared to have remained on the Sharks bench at the start of the fourth set. Simmons quickly erased a three-point deficit and turned it into a 10-8 lead which included four kills by Ortiz. However, the Seahawks spun the set back over in their direction following a 4-0 run to take a 12-10 advantage and forced Simmons to call its first timeout. The Sharks tried valiantly make another comeback, but the Seahawks were able to keep the energy on their side and hold on to take the set, 25-16.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Simmons posted a .263 attack percentage as a team in the third set, tallying 17 kills on 57 attempts with just two errors.
• Sophomore Joenissa Ortiz was one of four players to register a double-double, tallying a career single-game best 16 kills and 15 defensive digs.
• Senior Sydney Iannantuono (12 kills, 15 digs), sophomore April Beatty (12 kills, 16 digs) and junior Kat Simeonidis (40 assists, 14 digs) also recorded double-doubles.
• Beatty's 16 digs was also a career single-game best.
• Junior Jayla Parnell rounded out five players to recorded double figure digs, notching 12 on the night.

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the hard-court on Saturday, September 17 when they open GNAC action against Emmanuel College and Regis College. First match against the Saints slated for 11 a.m. at the Holmes Sports Center.