Setters Battle Back in Four-Set Win at Dominican N.Y.

Next Match:

at St. Thomas Aquinas College

9/23/2025 | 6:00 p.m.

Sep. 23 (Tue) / 6:00 p.m.

at St. Thomas Aquinas College

ORANGEBURG, N.Y. – On Friday night, Pace University Volleyball turned in a resilient performance, bouncing back from an opening-set loss to earn a 3–1 victory over Dominican University of New York. The Setters, who improved to 6–1 on the season, captured the final three frames by scores of 25-18, 25-22, and 25-21 to secure their third straight win.

The opening set belonged to Dominican, as the Chargers hit .406 to pace a 25-21 win. Despite early efforts from Jaliyah Johnson and Cyanna Shirley on the attack, Pace was limited to nine kills in the frame and could not overcome Dominican’s late push.

Pace quickly regrouped in the second set, putting together one of its most efficient stretches of the night. Johnson, who would go on to lead the Setters with 11 kills, powered several key points, while Shirley added consistency from the outside. Emily Cineus and Kadence Ackmann provided a spark at the net with multiple blocks, and the Setters pulled away late for a 25–18 victory that evened the match at one set apiece.

The third set presented a back-and-forth battle, with both sides trading runs. Pace ultimately prevailed, 25–22, behind timely swings from Shirley and Cineus, as well as steady setting from Camila Rodriguez and Aralyn Saulys. Johnson chipped in crucial kills during the closing stretch, while Alice Bender and the back line took the helm on defense to help the Blue and Gold take a 2–1 lead.

The Setters closed the match with another gritty performance in the fourth. Johnson remained a go-to option in the attack, while Ackmann and Cineus combined for big plays at the net. Skyler Tennant added an extra spark from the service line, finishing with four aces in the evening. Pace used a late push to seal the 25-21 win and finish off the comeback effort.

Overall, the Blue and Gold totaled 47 kills, 11 service aces, and 10 blocks across the four sets.

Johnson’s 11 kills led the way, while Shirley finished with eight kills and three block assists. Ackmann contributed seven kills to go with a team-high 11 digs, and Cineus added six kills and three blocks. Rodriguez and Saulys combined for 30 assists, while Bender chipped in eight digs from the libero position.

Next in store for the Blue and Gold is a road meeting against Saint Thomas Aquinas College set for Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m.