Junior Nicole Deobler put up 16 total kills on Sunday evening as the Siena Saints opened their 2019 season at Coppin State. Despite winning the first and third sets, the Saints would fall 3-2 (25-22, 15-25, 25-22, 20-25, 9-15) to the Eagles. 

"That was such a fun match to start the season with," said head coach Vilis Ozols. "I was pleased with so many facets of the game and our young team who should be proud of the way they battled today. Coppin State played really well particularly at times when they were able to seize the momentum. I thought there were a lot of bright spots in today's match."

The Green and Gold were led by Deobler's 16 kills, followed by 10 from freshman Ally-Reese Williams. Sol Guidarelli also added nine kills on the match, with fellow freshman Maria Llinas notched a double-double with 47 assists and 10 digs, while also adding four total blocks. Freshman Gracie Halley led the way defensively with 16 digs. Abby Huffman provided a strong matchup front with eight kills and five total blocks.

Coppin State was led by a 23-kill match from Miajavon Coleman, while Sydney Hicks also added 19. Ashley Roman had a big game defensively with 30 digs, as Coleman also added 12 digs to collect a double-double.

The Saints opened with a 25-22 win in set one. Both sides traded jabs to a 21-21 score, which was finally broken with two Coppin State errors to give the Saints a 23-21 score. After the Eagles gained back a point, Williams and Guidarelli collected back-to-back kills and snagged the win in set one. However, the Eagles would bounce back and take a 25-15 win in the second set to even things at 1-1.

Siena would come back for another win in the third set by a score of 25-22, as Huffman opened up the set with multiple kills. Deobler would step up in the second half of the set and lifted the Saints to victory as she capped the set with a kill. The Green and Gold would take a 2-1 lead before falling in the fourth and fifth sets. 

The Saints return to action on Tuesday afternoon when they conclude their Maryland tour with a match at Morgan State. Opening serve is set for 1 p.m.