NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Bulldogs opened their home schedule with a victory on Friday night and won their second straight match with a 3-1 win victory over Sacred Heart on day one of the Yale Invitational.

"I thought we fought really hard tonight and made big plays when we needed them," Yale head coach Erin Appleman said. 

Set Breakdown:

Set 1
The Bulldogs took the first set of their home season and hit .343.  Isabella Mendoza led the way for Yale with seven kills, while Gigi Barr, Carly Diehl and Audrey Leak each had six.  Diehl also had three aces.

Set 2
The second set went extra points with the Pioneers grabbing the final two points.  Diehl added four kills in the set, which Yale led most of the way.  Sacred Heart stormed back for seven of the final nine points to take the frame.

Set 3
Fatima Samb broke a 16-16 tie with a kill and Yale scored the next point to take the lead. Leak make it 19-17 and Mendoza followed with a solo block.  The Bulldogs scored the final five points of the set including two points from Betsy Goodenow – on a kill and a block assist with Samb.

Set 4
Yale made big plays down the stretch including key digs from Halle Sherlock to take the final set.  Goodenow lifted the Bulldogs to match point with a kill and Mendoza closed out the match with an ace.

Notes:

• The Bulldogs won their second straight match.
• Mendoza posted a career-high 12 kills tonight.
• Goodenow finished with 14 kills and notched at least 10 kills for the second time this season. 
• Diehl had a match-high 43 assists.
• Samb continues to lead the team in blocks – including seven more tonight.

Up Next:

The Bulldogs will play two matches tomorrow on day two of the Yale Invitational.  Yale will host Rhode Island at 1 p.m. and UConn at 7 p.m.