MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Roberts Wesleyan women's volleyball team finished the Saint Anselm/SNHU Tournament on a high note by picking up a 3-1 win (19-25; 25-23; 25-20; 25-19) over Saint Michael's College. Despite a slow start to the tournament, the Redhawks rallied to get its first season opening tournament match win since 2016.
 
Sophomore Sydney Yanak had a game-high 15 kills to lead the Redhawks. The outside hitter had a total of 39 kills over the course of four matches in the two-day tournament. Yanak contributed 47.5 points to the team, averaging 3.39 points per set.
 
After dropping the first set with a total of six errors on 35 attack attempts Roberts needed to reset. And that's just what the team did as the Redhawks closed out the match with an over .200 hitting percentage and double digit kills in the final three sets.
 
"Even in the less than stellar play we've had at times, I'm seeing that there is a new team culture," said head coach Doug Porterfield. "Even when things go sideways it's not going to let each other give into the conditions at hand. There is a new grit that is becoming our backbone."
 
Upperclassmen Charlotte Orgill and Laura Amaya both had impressive performances throughout the four-match stretch. Against Saint Michael's, Orgill had six kills and three blocks while Amaya added 10 kills.
 
Sophomore Sarina Pasquantonio, in her new role as setter, dished out 22 assists. The Rochester, N.Y. native had 50 assists in total for the tournament.
 
Roberts fell to tough competition in the first three matches of the weekend. The Redhawks picked up losses from Kutztown University, Southern New Hampshire University, and Saint Anselm College.
 
Next up for Roberts is the home opener on Wednesday, Sept. 7 against Brockport. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Voller Athletic Center.