Volleyball Sweeps Eastern Nazarene 3-0 on Homecoming Weekend

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 2, 2021) – The Golden Bears hosted Eastern Nazarene in a non-conference match for homecoming weekend where the Golden Bears swept the Lions 3-0.

Records:

• Western New England: 7-7, 1-2 CCC
• Eastern Nazarene: 8-8, 0-0 NECC

How It Happened:

The Golden Bears led the first set 4-2, 5-3 and later after a 4-0 run extended their lead 11-6 with Taylor Deluga at the serve. Western New England continued to put runs together holding the Lions to only one or two points at a time until Eastern Nazarene gained some momentum and tallied three points in a row with two service aces to get within two (16-14) of the Golden Bears. Western New England rallied for three straight points to take a 19-14 lead. After the Lions battled to get back within two (22-20) the Golden Bears were able to put it away with Deluga back at the serve to score the final three points of the set and go up 1-0 in the match.

The second set started with back-and-forth action being tied four times. The Golden Bears took control with Becca Mayer at the serve to score six unanswered points to earn their largest lead of the game 13-7. The teams began trading points once again, but the Lions were unable to catch up to the Golden Bears and Western New England won the second set 25-19 to lead 2-0 in the match.

The Golden Bears led 6-3 in the third set and continued to keep the Lions to only one or two points at a time. The Lions were within one (8-7) when the Golden Bears went on a 4-0 run to extend their lead 12-7. The Lions quickly responded and with a 3-0 run were back within one of Western New England (13-12). The two teams began trading points with the Lions earning the lead 20-18. The Golden Bears then recorded a 4-0 run to take back the 22-20 lead. The Lions tied the set 22-22 and then the set was tied again 23-23. A kill by Olivia Hall followed by her at the serve gave the Golden Bears the final two points of the set to win 25-23 and earn the match win 3-0.

Inside the Numbers:

• The Golden Bears recorded 39 kills in the match with a .323 hitting percentage while also earning 35 assists, 34 digs and seven service aces.
• Olivia Hall led the Golden Bears with 11 kills while earning a .357 hitting percentage and tallying eight digs.
• Hailey Sell recorded 30 assists with three kills and four digs while Alissa Hawes led the team with 11 digs while also tallying nine kills and a .304 hitting percentage.

Up Next:

The Golden Bears hit the road for their next game as they travel to Biddeford, Maine to conference foe University of New England for a 7 p.m. match on Tuesday, October 5^th.