RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The University of Bridgeport hit a combined .418 during the final two sets to pull away for a 3-1 25-20, 21-25, 15-25, 19-25) Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference women's volleyball victory over host Felician University on Wednesday night at Job Gymnasium.

The Purple Knights and Golden Falcons were meeting for the fifth time, but the first since Bridgeport joined the CACC for the 2022-23 academic year. Felician freshman opposite hitter Sara Betts (Goodyear, Ariz./Estrella Foothills) led all players with 14 kills.

Guided by sophomore setter Jaden Drollinger (Queens Creek, Ariz./Queens Creek), Bridgeport (3-11, 2-2 CACC) turned in a .298 attack percentage for the match. Drollinger totaled three kills, 38 assists, and five digs. The Purple Knights' Paola Hernandez (Bayamon, Puerto Rico/Robinson School) (eight digs, six aces) and Lucia Tomiello (Caitrano, Italy/Scientifico Tron Zanella) collected 13 kills each.

After capturing the second set to even the match at 1-1, Felician (1-13, 1-3) never led during Set 3. UB jumped out to leads of 7-2 and 16-9. The Golden Falcons came as close as 19-15, only to see the visitors win the final six rallies.

Bridgeport pulled away during the fourth set by earning six consecutive points, including three on Hernandez aces, to turn a one-point lead into a 15-8 advantage. The hosts climbed back to within a four-point deficit on four occasions but never closer, and consecutive Tomiello kills ended the match.

Both teams displayed a high-risk service game, with Bridgeport compiling 11 aces and 13 errors and Felician 10 aces and 11 errors. Golden Falcon senior setter Miquela Martinez (Santa Fe, N.M./St. Michael's) had 31 assists and a match-high 18 digs, and classmate Hannah Chiswick (Pittstown, N.J./Delaware Valley) finished with 11 kills, seven digs and three aces.

On Saturday, Felician faces its first opponent of the season from the South Division of the CACC when it travels to Philadelphia for a noon matchup with Thomas Jefferson University.