Volleyball Takes Down Lancers 3-1

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 23, 2021) – The Western New England volleyball team played host to Worcester State tonight in a non-conference match that the Golden Bears won 3-1.

Records:

• Western New England: 6-5, 1-0 CCC
• Worcester State: 3-10, 1-0 MASCAC

How It Happened:

The Golden Bears took an early 3-1 lead after Sarah Scott tallied two service aces in her opening serves. Western New England quickly earned the serve back and went on a 4-0 run with Caleigh McDermott recording two more service aces for the Golden Bears to take a 7-2 lead. After the two teams went back-and-forth trading points, the Golden Bears tallied three-straight to extend their lead 14-7 and later gained momentum for a 5-0 run with two kills by Isabelle Petty. Western New England led 19-8 and kept the Lacers at bay to win the first set 25-11.

In the second set the two teams traded points before Worcester State scored three in a row to take a 6-4 lead. The Golden Bears responded with a 3-0 run themselves to take a 7-6 lead. The Lancers tied the set 7-7 and took an 8-7 lead only for Western New England to score five in a row and take their largest lead of the set 12-8. The back-and-forth action quickly began with the Lancers eventually gaining momentum to tie the set 14-14 and eventually take a 17-16 lead. The set was tied 19-19 when the Golden Bears rallied to score the next six points and win the second set 25-19.

The Lancers started the third set with a 6-3 lead, but the Golden Bears quickly worked to tie the set 7-7 with Alissa Hawes recording a service ace. After Western New England tied the set 8-8, the Lancers took control and scored seven straight points to lead 15-8. Later Worcester State tallied five more points in a row to take their largest lead of the match 20-10. Despite a 4-0 and 3-0 run, the Golden Bears were unable to recover and dropped the third set 25-21 to take the match into the fourth set.

In the fourth set the Lancers jumped out to a 7-1 lead before the Golden Bears were able to gain momentum and score five unanswered points to get back within one (7-6). The Golden Bears fought to gain the lead 9-8 only for the set to be tied seven more times. With Isabella Procida at the serve, the Golden Bears tallied three straight points to take a 19-16 lead only for the back-and-forth action to begin again. The Golden Bears were able to hold on to their lead and win the set 25-20 and the match 3-1.

Inside the Numbers:

• The Golden Bears recorded 51 kills in the match and earned a .244 hitting percentage along with 47 assists and 74 digs.
• Olivia Hall led the Golden Bears with 14 kills and recorded a double-double with 15 digs while Sarah Scott recorded another double-double on the year with 10 kills and 15 digs.
• Hailey Sell earned a career-high 41 assists in the match along with eight digs and four kills.
• Becca Mayer also earned 15 digs with four assists and three kills.
• D'Najah Boyd earned her first collegiate kill in the match.

Up Next:

The Golden Bears hit the road on Saturday, September 25^th as they travel to conference rival Wentworth for an 11 a.m. first serve.