Wentworth Tops Volleyball, 3-1

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology volleyball team bounced back from an opening set loss to claim a 3-1 (16-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-14) win over Western New England University on Wednesday night in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

Top Performers
Senior outside hitter Ashley Matthews (Salem, N.H.) was the lone Golden Bear to reach double-figures in kills, as she recorded 12 to go along with 17 digs.

Seniors Cassandra Holmes (Ellington, Conn.) and Kierah Parker (Middletown, Conn.) and junior Hailey McDonnell (Methuen, Mass.) added six kills each, while senior Caitlyn Sibiskie (Rockfall, Conn.) finished with 27 assists, 21 digs, three kills and two block assists.

Wentworth was led by senior outside hitter Leah Rogoz (Woodridge, Ill.), who produced a match-high 13 kills to go with 21 digs. Senior middle hitter Samantha Lassiter (Rogers, Ark.) hit .304 with ten kills, while sophomore Mary Zlotosch (Durham, N.H.) contributed ten kills, 13 digs, five blocks and three aces.

Game Review
Western New England never trailed in the opening set, as the Golden Bears won the first two points and built an early 11-3 lead. After Wentworth cut its deficit to four (11-7) with a 4-0 spurt, Western New England quickly stretched its advantage to seven (15-8), before using a 7-1 run later in the frame to increase the cushion to 22-11. The Leopards, who had 11 attack errors in the set, eventually fell 25-16.

Wentworth bounced back in set two, however, fueled by a 5-0 start with two kills from Rogoz. The Leopards led 9-3 early and Western New England was unable to recover as the visitors tied the match with a 25-18 result.

Leading 11-10 in the third set, Wentworth took control with a 7-1 run that grew the margin to seven (18-11). This surge proved to be the difference in the set as the Leopards went on to claim another 25-18 win to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Another strong start in the fourth set saw Wentworth open up an early 6-1 lead. Western New England was able to pull to within three (9-6) following a Leopard attack error, but the Golden Bears got no closer as Wentworth pulled away to complete the 3-1 victory.

Notes
• Sibiskie topped the 20-dig mark for the second time this season.
• Matthews has recorded 10+ kills in 19 of the 26 matches she has appeared in.

Up Next
Both teams wrap up their regular season slates on Saturday, as Western New England (12-16, 2-5 CCC) travels to Endicott and Wentworth (20-7, 5-2 CCC) returns home to take on Gordon.