Olmstead and Vaughan Lead Blue Devils Past Providence

Senior captain Amanda Olmstead and sophomore Tori Vaughan combined for 25 of the Blue Devils' 43 kills and the Central Connecticut volleyball team defeated Providence College on the road Tuesday night, 3-0.

CCSU came out ready to go as they took an early 7-3 lead in the first set. Olmstead sparked the Blue Devils, tallying three kills in the run. Central never let the lead get closer than three the rest of the way and took the first set, 25-12. Olmstead led CCSU in the set with four kills and three digs, while sophomore Amanda Bayer recorded 10 assists in the first frame.

Senior setter Sara Sheehan got the Friars rolling early in the second set, recording an assist and two kills to put Providence up 3-0. The Blue Devils responded with a 5-1 stretch that included two service aces by junior Jamie Baumert and one by Olmstead. After back and forth action that tied the set a seven, CCSU rallied off 12 straight points and cruised to a 25-15 victory. Vaughan led the Blue Devils in the set with five kills on .667 hitting percentage.

Central came out of the huddle ready to sweep the Friars in the third set, as they tallied the first five points. Bayer sparked the start, notching three service aces in the stretch. The Blue Devils did not look back and finished the set on Olmstead's eighth kill of the period, to win 25-17.

Olmstead finished with a match high 14 kills on .406 hitting percentage, while helping to anchor the defense with eight digs. Vaughan added 11 kills on a superb .714 hitting percentage and added a match high two blocks in the win. Bayer led all players in the match with 24 assists, while tallying the aforementioned three service aces. Sophomore Kaitlin Petrella and freshman Danielle Gasser led CCSU with 10 digs each.

Providence was led by senior Jeanette Toney with nine kills, four digs and two blocks. Sheehan added six kills, nine assists and seven digs in the loss. Senior Kelly Krahenbuhl led all players in the match with 12 digs.

The Blue Devils are now 5-11 for the season and will next be returning to Northeast Conference play on Sunday October 19 when they host Wagner at 1:00 p.m. Providence falls to 11-11 this year and will next be playing at St. Francis (NY) on Friday October 17 at 7:00 p.m.