Hornets Comeback Nets Victory Over Yellow Jackets

The Branford Hornets volleyball team found themselves down two games to one and trailing by four points in the fourth game of their match with East Haven on Tuesday.

But they turned things around and rallied to win 25 – 17 to force a fifth and deciding game. They outscored the Yellow Jackets in the final match winning 15 – 10 for their first win of the season.

The match was played at Branford before an enthusiastic crowd of several hundred. Not everyone was watching the action. Sometimes homework intervenes.

The scores were 23 – 25, 25 – 17, 21 – 25, 25 – 17 and 15 – 10.

“It was a nice comeback for our first win of the season,” said Hornet coach Eva Esposito. Here she talks to her team prior to taking the court.

“East Haven isn’t in our division this year but our girls really wanted this match as they’re our rivals. Hopefully this will get us fired up for the remainder of the season,” the coach said.

Branford was led by senior Adrienne DiGioia and juniors Haley Maercklein and Erin O’Brien. Here DiGioia gets one of her four aces in the match.

DiGioia had 10 kills, 12 digs, and 4 aces, Maercklein with 12 kills, 7 blocks, and 4 aces and O’Brien, 25 assists to pace the young Hornets. DiGioia and Jennifer Hwang are the only seniors in the club.

Here Erin O’Brien sets up Adrienne DiGioia for a shot.

And here Junior Lauren Elmasry fires a shot past Jessica Stettinger.

East Haven was led by Kylie Schlottman with 14 kills and 8 digs and Summer Anorto with 10 kills and 19 digs.

Branford finished the week losing a five-game match to Lauralton Hall on Friday at home. Their next game is Monday at North Haven.
 
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