NEW HAVEN, C.T. - Felician Women's Volleyball finalizes their 2023 non-conference schedule Thursday evening in New Haven, C.T. as they faced Southern Connecticut State University. After securing the second set win, the Owls were able to edge the green-and-gold, 3-1 (11-25, 25-20, 16-25, 19-25), and forced the Golden Falcons to drop to 3-11 overall. 

Felician hasn't been able to secure a first set win since they hosted Bloomfield on Sept. 19. Tonight, the Golden Falcons dropped 11-25 after trailing off the first Owl serve. However, despite the first set statistic, the green-and-gold know how to battle when they secured the second set win when Megan Barker (St. Catharine's, Ontario) ignited the set with two consecutive service aces. As the Owls were quickly able to equalize the score at 12, Felician pulled out in front on an a Ashanna Caviness (Bogota, N.J.) kill, 13-12, to propel the Golden Falcons to the 25-20 win. 

The host opened up the third with a six point rally to pressurize the Golden Falcons. With the score reading 13-3, the Golden Falcons combated the Owls to hold them to one point during their 10-point rally to put themselves back in the running for the third set, 13-14. Barker, Sara Betts (Goodyear, A.Z.) and Sophia Watterson (Bowling Green, K.Y.) aided in the comeback. After the green-and-gold's 13th point, the Owls sparked a rally of their own to close out the third for the 2-1 advantage. 

Ultimately, after another score tie in the fourth, the Golden Falcons could not throw themselves in front of the hosts to force a fifth, win or go home, set. They ended up falling short in the final duel 19-25 for the 1-3 non-conference loss. 

Betts led the charge with nine kills and Barker was one behind with eight. Miquela Martinez (Santa Fe, N.M.) recorded 22 digs while Kayden Mallette (Maggie Valley, N.C.) and Sophia Watterson had 11 each. 

The Golden Falcons will be back in Rutherford to host Goldey-Beacom for a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference match-up this Saturday at 1:00pm in JJJ Gymnasium.