Seton Hall volleyball fell to Providence College in three sets Thursday, losing 25-18, 25-21 and 25-17 as the Friars secured their first BIG EAST win of the season. Despite several close rallies and a second-set lead, the Pirates struggled to keep pace with the Friars throughout the match.
The opening set began with both teams trading points. SHU middle hitter Maddy Loiselle recorded an early kill, while Daria Safian found open space with a well-placed tip. Safian and Alexis Opland made key blocks against Providence’s attacks, helping the Pirates through the first half of the set.
Providence began to pull ahead after Tori Otter delivered a powerful spike, extending their lead to 15-12. SHU called a timeout after Gwen Koss extended the lead to 22-18, hoping to shift the pace in their favor. However, Koss accomplished two more blocks following the break, one with Aubrey Easterwood, securing a 25-18 win.
SHU responded in the second set, with Safian opening the scoring and freshman libero Rylee Wooldridge recording her fifth service ace of the season. Samantha Shelton contributed powerful attacks as the Pirates continued trading points with Providence, keeping the set competitive.
The score remained close before Providence’s blocking once again disrupted the Pirates’ offense. Four consecutive blocks gave the Friars a 15-13 lead, but SHU fought back.
Emilee Fuller caught Providence off guard with a deceptive play, faking a set and swinging at the last second to make it 19-18. A few points later, Opland recorded her second kill of the season to give the Pirates a 20-19 lead.
The lead gave SHU an opportunity to even the match after dropping the opening set.
Providence answered with an ace from Miller McDonald and a kill from Easterwood to regain the lead. The Friars continued challenging SHU at the net, denying Shelton’s attack before Fielding Mayhugh finished the set with a spike. Providence took the second set 25-21, leaving the Pirates one set away from defeat.
The Pirates struggled to regain momentum in the third set. Otter opened with a cross-court kill, and Loiselle answered with attacks of her own. Shelton then made an impressive defensive dig that led to a kill by Mia Clyburn, giving SHU another chance to attack.
However, Providence gradually extended its advantage. An ace from Musial helped push the Friars ahead 14-9, and Mayhugh added two kills as Providence reached 23 points with Seton Hall trailing at 12.
The Pirates kept fighting late in the set, adding two points to make it 24-16. After a Providence attack went out of bounds, SHU closed the gap to 24-17 before Clyburn's attack went out of bounds, giving Providence the 25-17 set victory.
With the loss, SHU dropped to 8-9 overall and 0-5 in BIG EAST play. Despite strong defensive moments and a chance to take the second set, the Pirates struggled to match Providence’s blocking and consistent attack.
Isabella Spina is a writer for The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at isabella.spina@student.shu.edu.
