BOX SCORE

BLOOMFIELD, N.J. – Senior Da'Cheray Thomas (Newark, N.J./Science Park) and junior Dominic Spivey (Newark, N.J./Science Park) each notched double-digit kills to help new head coach Amable Martinez earn the first victory of his collegiate head coaching career Tuesday night, as the women's volleyball team improved to 1-0 on the young season with a 3-2 (27-25, 16-25, 25-18, 20-25, 15-7) home victory over non-conference opponent Mercy College.

A seesaw battle from the outset, the contest saw neither side win back-to-back sets on the night, with the opening frame needing extra points to decide the victor.  Mercy would grab an early advantage and take a 22-16 lead into the set's latter stages, but an 8-2 Bloomfield spurt would knot the score at 24 and ensure extra points.  The Lady Deacons would earn three of the next four to capture the hard-fought victory and take a 1-0 lead in the match in comeback fashion.

After Mercy countered with a victory of its own in set number two to even the match, Bloomfield would quickly regain form with a decisive victory in the third stanza.  Holding a slim 17-16 lead, the Lady Deacons closed the set with an 8-2 run that included four consecutive points from senior Allison Hart (Pagosa Springs, Co./Pagosa Springs) to take a 2-1 lead in the contest and put the Mustangs on the brink of their second loss to the Bloomfield program in two seasons.

Mercy would again answer with a victory in set number four, evening the match at two sets apiece and forcing a decisive fifth frame.  But it would prove to be the Lady Deacons that would earn the final victory of the evening, as the club tallied 10 of the first 13 points in the frame to put the final set out of reach.  A late Mercy rally would fall short, as Bloomfield would take the eight-point set victory and earn a season-opening victory over the Mustangs for the second consecutive season.

Thomas led Bloomfield with 11 kills on the night, with Spivey following just behind with 10 kills and eight digs.  Sophomore Karol Oliveros (Newark, N.J./Science Park) posted a solid all-around effort with five kills, 13 assists and seven digs, while Hart led the club in assists (15) and digs (9) on the night.

Bloomfield returns to action Thursday, September 6 when they welcome CACC North Division rival Dominican College for the team's home conference opener.  Start time for the match is set for 7:00 PM.