NEW LONDON, NH – The Vermont State University Johnson women's volleyball team took to the road for their first away matchup of the season, against the Colby Sawyer Chargers. Despite a strong effort across each set, the Badgers dropped the road opener 0-3 (14-25, 20-25, 23-25) to a strong Colby Sawyer offense. The first set saw the Chargers strike first, opening with five consecutive points to lead 5-0 from the start. Aubrey Villa put the Badgers on the board first, with a kill assisted by teammate Delaney Gross. Johnson pulled within three points at 10-13, thanks to a pair of kills from Natalia Medina, alongside Max Ludow, and an ace by Villa. However, the Colby Sawyer would widen the gap with a string of rallies to take the set 25-14.
The Charges stayed true to their name, charging into the second set with a 9-0 run. The Badgers were not ready to lay down and subsequently climbed their way back into contention at 18-20, thanks in large part to a trio of kills by Medina, a pair by Ludlow, and two aces from Khomutesky. While the Chargers managed to pull away with a 25-20 set, the Badgers proved they were still there to fight.
Johnson returned to the court for the third set with more to prove, challenging Colby Sawyer's each point with one of their own, sharing the lead through a hard-fought 10-10 stretch. The Badgers pulled into a set lead for the first time in the match, going ahead 12-10, before the Chargers returned the favor with two points back of their own. The lead would be shared back and forth through the set, remaining tied up until a 23-23 score was broken with two final points by Colby Sawyer, escaping the set with a score of 25-23.
The progressively improved set scores highlighted the determination of the Johnson squad, who have already returned from a two-set deficit this season to take a win from behind. First-year, Delaney Gross, led the Badgers in assist with 13, while fellow first-year Aubrey Villa notched three aces, and Ludlow recorded seven kills alongside nine points.
The Badgers return to action this Saturday at home with a doubleheader against UMPI set for 12pm and 2pm.