Western New England Rallies to Earn Five-Set Triumph over Emmanuel

Holmes, Matthews & Bundy all contribute 10+ kills for Golden Bears

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 25, 2018) – The Western New England University volleyball team overcame a 2-0 set deficit to earn a 3-2 (22-25, 20-25, 25-19, 25-16, 15-9) comeback victory over Emmanuel College on Thursday evening in non-conference action at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

Top Performers
Junior middle blocker Cassandra Holmes (Ellington, Conn.) was among three Golden Bears to top the ten-kill mark, as she recorded a team-high 15 kills to go with three blocks and two digs.

Junior outside hitter Ashley Matthews (Salem, N.H.) produced a double-double with 14 kills and a team-high 17 digs, while sophomore middle blocker Abigail Bundy (Lebanon, Conn.) chipped in with ten kills (.421).

Sophomore setter Jenna McCormack (Nashua, N.H.) handed out 39 assists, and freshman defensive specialist Taylor Deluga (Dennis, Mass.) tallied five service aces.

Emmanuel was led by senior Mary Shelow (Miami, Fla.), who finished with 14 kills and six digs. Junior Marissa Cataldo (Melrose, Mass.) was also a key contributor for the Saints with ten kills and nine digs.

Game Review
Western New England won the first five points of the match and led 15-9 midway through the opening set, but Emmanuel used a 6-0 run to tie the frame before eventually pulling ahead 17-16 on a Golden Bear ball handling error. The Saints posted a late 4-0 run to extend their advantage to 22-18 and went on to claim a 25-22 win.

Emmanuel took control midway through the second set and held off a late Western New England rally to earn a 25-20 result and a 2-0 lead in the match.

The visitors appeared to be on their way to a sweep as they led 16-12 in the third frame, before an 8-0 Western New England run put the Golden Bears in front 20-16 and turned the momentum in the match. Western New England went on to win the third set 25-19.

With the fourth set tied 8-8 early, the Golden Bears posted a 7-0 run to open up a 15-8 lead that they would not relinquish. Western New England pulled away down the stretch and forced a fifth set with a 25-16 victory.

In the final set, the Golden Bears established an early 4-1 lead and never looked back en route to a 15-9 triumph to complete the comeback.  

Notes
• Western New England posted a .223 hitting percentage overall that included a .371 clip in the fourth set and a .316 showing in the fifth frame.
• Holmes topped the 10-kill mark for the second straight match and tenth time this season.

Up Next
Western New England (9-18) wraps up its regular season slate on Saturday at Roger Williams, while Emmanuel (7-17) takes on Regis and the University of Saint Joseph in a tri-match at USJ.