PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Top-seeded Johnson & Wales University (29-1) defeated Saint Joseph's College (10-18), 3-0 (25-9, 25-11, 25-20), in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Volleyball Tournament quarterfinal on Tuesday night.

With the win, Johnson & Wales – ranked second in the nation in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll – will host Suffolk University in a semifinal match on Thursday at 7:30 PM. For the Monks, the loss signals the end of the 2018 season.

Junior Kelsey Bickford (Somersworth, N.H.) led the Monks with eight kills and a .316 hitting percentage while freshmen Sarah Quinn (Dover, N.H.) and Olivia Kent (Ellington, Conn.) chipped in with five kills apiece.

Senior Jennelle Thompson (Rochester, N.H.) added 14 digs and sophomore Sophia Randall (Epping, N.H.) contributed 20 assists and five digs in the loss.

For Johnson & Wales Kate Walker delivered nine kills with a .500 hitting percentage, Brylee Frank dealt 34 assists, and Elyssa Nicolas added 16 digs.

The Wildcats have now won 56-straight home matches, the fifth-longest in Division III history. JWU also extended the longest active winning streak in the nation to 29 matches and has now won 76-consecutive sets against GNAC opponents.

Johnson & Wales came out blazing in the first set, hitting .448 while holding the Monks to a .029 rate. The defense was even better in the second set as SJC was limited to a -.115 rate.

The service line was a big factor as the Wildcats had 12 aces – their second-highest total of the year – and kept the Monks off balance all night. Senior Monica Cordova led all players with three aces.

THANKS IN PART TO JWU SPORTS INFORMATION

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