Volleyball Drops Straight Sets to Endicott to Close Regular Season

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 30, 2021) – The Western New England University Golden Bears women's volleyball team dropped straight sets to the visiting Gulls of Endicott College from the Alumni Healthful Living Center on Saturday afternoon. The Golden Bears honored their four seniors prior to the first serve of the match. 

Records:

• Western New England: 11-12 (4-4 CCC)
• Endicott College: 17-8 (8-0 CCC)

How it Happened:
Endicott got off to a quick start in the first set, getting three straight points to start off leading the Golden Bears 3-0. The fisty Golden Bears didn't let Endicott take control of the match, however as Western New England would respond with the next four points of the match, capped off with a service ace from Hailey Sell. In the back and forth first set, Western New England would lead by as many as two points, though they saw Endicott rattle off ten straight points in the set off server Emma Ruel to put Endicott ahead 24-10 in the match. Western New England would attempt to climb out of their hole, though were unsuccessful, dropping the first set 25-11. 

Sell would come back with a service ace to open the second set for Western New England, though Endicott would quickly fight back and rattle off three points off a kill from Colleen McAvoy. An attack error by Lauren McGrath would lead WNE to a tie in the match at four all. The back-and-forth set would see kills from Sarah Scott and Olivia Hall as the Golden Bears tried to knock off the undefeated Gulls in conference play. Western New England would keep it close after a kill from Alissa Hawes to make the score 20-18 in favor of the visitors. WNE would be unable to complete the set, seeing Endicott get their 25^th point of the match off a kill from Meghan Fredrick to move into the third set down a pair.

Three quick points to open the third set from Endicott would pace to a straight sweep of the Golden Bears as WNE would be unable to pull a string of points together in the third set. Hall, Abigail Bundy, and Isabelle Petty would record points for the Golden Bears in the set, though the power from Amanda Gilbert and Krystina Schueler would keep the Gulls at pace to win their third straight set and take down Western New England 25-18 in the final set of the match to sweep the Golden Bears. 

Inside the Lines:

• Western New England honored their four seniors prior to the match as Taylor DeLuga, Abigail Bundy, Sydney Tabor, and Caleigh McDermott were all honored. 
• WNE spiked down 13 kills in the match while Olivia Hall made 20 total attacks, and Sarah Scott came away with 13 for WNE. 
• Hailey Sell led the Golden Bears with 15 assists in the match. 
• Leading the way for Endicott was Amanda Gilbert, who made 25 total attacks, as well as Riley Donahue who made 21 total attacks. Ameilia Beigel assisted on 20 points for Endicott in the win. 

Up Next on the Schedule: 

• Both Western New England and Endicott College will await the CCC official results to determine the seedings for the upcoming CCC women's volleyball playoff tournament.