PHILADELPHIA – The Thomas Jefferson University volleyball team (10-3, 5-1 CACC) survived a comeback attempt by visiting Bridgeport (5-13, 4-4 CACC) on Saturday, holding on to a 3-2 victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rams held an 8-7 lead in the opening set before scoring four in a row. However, the Purple Knights came back with five successive points to even the score at 12. The score was even at 19 before Jefferson recorded back-to-back points to go ahead 21-19. Bridgeport got within one (22-21) but the Rams produced three of the next four to win the set 25-22. In the second, Jefferson had a narrow 4-3 advantage but opened it up with a 7-0 run. The Rams dominated the remainder of the frame and won handily, 25-13.
 
Jefferson had an 8-7 lead in the third set before the Purple Knights rallied for four points and the lead. The Rams worked their way back and evened the score at 19. However, Bridgeport responded with six of the next eight for a 25-21 victory. The two sides were even at six in the fourth before Jefferson took five out of six to go in front 11-7. The Rams were ahead 18-16 but the Purple Knights went on a 6-1 surge to take a 22-19 lead. Jefferson closed the gap to one three times but Bridgeport took the stanza, 25-23.
 
In the decisive set, the Purple Knights were up by two (9-7) but the Rams rallied for four straight points to go ahead 11-9. Jefferson had two match points at 14-12 but Bridgeport was able to even it up. The Rams then came back with three of the next four to finally claim the match, 17-15.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Jess Molen: 28 kills, 10 digs, 2 service aces
Morgan Ritchie: 19 kills, .313 hitting percentage, 12 digs
Sam Mann: 12 kills, .545 hitting percentage, 3 blocks
Kristine Guenther: 56 assists, 15 digs
Cameron Johnson: 26 digs, 4 assists, 2 service aces
 
NOTES
- Jess Molen set a new career high with 28 kills.
- Kristine Guenther's 56 assists are a season high while Morgan Ritchie tied her season best with 19 kills.
- It was the first meeting between Jefferson and Bridgeport in volleyball since 2007.
- The Rams won their Homecoming match for the ninth season in a row.
 
UP NEXT
The Rams visit Wilmington (Del.) for another conference match on Tuesday, October 4^th at 7 p.m.