BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The William Paterson volleyball team improved to 3-0 to begin the season when they took down St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) (1-1) Thursday evening inside the Hill Center.
 
Juniors Christine Griffith (Upper Saddle River, N.J./Northern Highlands Regional) and Amanda Lembo (North Haledon, N.J./DePaul Catholic) led a balanced offensive attack in the win, compiling seven kills each, while also making an impact defensively with a combined 16 digs. Sophomore Alyson Toman (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) led the Pioneers with 11 kills and senior Julianna Ginefra (Springfield, N.J./Jonathan Dayton) notched three service aces. 
 
William Paterson got off to another hot start in the match, taking an early 8-1 advantage behind three Toman kills. The Bears responded with a 5-1 run to make it 9-6 near the midway point of the opening set, but a kill from junior Chelliah Phillips (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) sparked a 12-2 run to take a commanding 21-8 lead. The Pioneers eventually used a service error from the Bears to close out the set 25-13.
 
The offense grew stronger with each set Thursday, with the Pioneers adding 11 kills in the second set while taking advantage of eight attacking errors from the Bears to take set two 25-6. The strong play continued in the final set, with the Pioneers recording 16 of their 25 points on kills, including two from junior Katelyn Schlemm (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) to hold the Bears in check. Leading 8-5 early in the set, the Pioneers recorded nine unanswered points to put the match out of reach for good, capping off the final set with a kill from Toman to remain unbeaten on the season.
 
The Pioneers return to the WP Recreation Center this Saturday when they play host to the United States Merchant Marine Academy for a non-conference matchup beginning at 3:00 p.m
 
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