Golden Bear Volleyball Goes 1-1 in Tri-Match

NASHUA, N.H.  (October 1, 2022) – The Western New England women's volleyball team were on the road for another tri-match tournament where they faced the Rivier University Raiders and the Bay Path University Wildcats. In their first match up with the Raiders, the Golden Bears lost 3-2 after being up 2-0, and against the Wildcats WNE won 3-1.

Records:

• Western New England: 11-7
• Rivier University: 10-3
• Bay Path University: 3-9

How It Happened vs. Rivier University: Western New England and Rivier had an even score until Zoe Bozzay was up to serve and the Golden Bears went on a 4-0 run to put them ahead 6-2. The Raiders brought it back within two before a 3-0 run by WNE gave them a six-point lead, 11-5, and they eventually made it a seven-point set, 15-8. Rivier fought back in the set, a few good volleys took them only down five, and after an attack error and scoring three points in a row, they made it a two-point set, the Golden Bears still ahead, 23-21. The set closed out with a serving error for the Raiders, a kill for the Raiders, and then a kill from Sarah Scott for the Golden Bears to win one 25-22.

The Golden Bears had the lead again to start the second set, Rivier tied it up, the Golden Bears took the lead back, and Rivier had it all squared up for the second time, 6-6. A kill and two service aces from Scott gave WNE a 9-6 lead. A few kills back-and-forth and another 3-0 scoring run by the Golden Bears now had them ahead 13-8. After a kill from the Raiders, WNE proceeded with a kill from Yemayma Molina, two aces from Kate Lange, and another kill from Molina, 17-9. The Raiders could not catch up in time to stop the Golden Bears from reaching 25 and getting match-point.

After leading majority of both sets one and two, the Golden Bears trailed in set three. Rivier got off to a 4-0 start and WNE had to fight to close the gap, but Rivier would score before they could tie it up. Rivier was ahead 12-9, WNE had a collective four scores taking their first lead of the set 13-12. A kill and three attack errors handed the set right back to the Raiders. The Golden Bears evened the score two more times in the set, but the Raiders came out on top, 25-20.

The Golden Bears jumped to 3-0 fast, the Raiders tied it up, the Golden Bears scored, the Raiders took a two-point lead. WNE battled to get it even, 10-10, it was overshadowed by 5-0 run by the Raiders. The Golden Bears staying in it, tied the score again, 17-17. They let the Raiders earn too many late runs and gave away a 2-0 game lead. The raiders had the match 2-2 forcing a fifth set. Set five started off competitive with the score being tied at 2-2 and 4-4. Kills and attack errors had the Raiders a 9-4 lead and then another 4-0 scoring run gave them the game, beating the Golden Bears 15-7, winning three straight sets.

 On the Court:

• The Golden Bears concluded the match with 39 kills, 34 assists, 57 digs while hitting .092 percent.
• The Raiders ended the match with 52 kills, 52 assists, 66 digs, and one block, while hitting .214 percent
• Sarah Scott and Yemayma Molina led Western New England with 11. Scott added 10 digs and five service aces.
• Alissa Hawes led the team in digs, ending with 13, also adding six kills and five aces.
• Taylor Geist contributed with 16 assists, six digs, and four kills.

How it Happened vs. Bay Path University: The Golden Bears got off to a slow start against Bay Path. The fell behind 6-1 to begin set one. They came back to make it a little more interesting, but a three-point run and then a six-point scores pushed the Wildcats lead to 22-15. WNE came back to only lose set one by three, 25-22.

Scoring was more even to begin set two. The Wildcats hit the scoreboard first, shortly after, the Golden Bears had the lead, and the Wildcats had it even 5-5. Two kills from Yemayma Molina and two aces from Zoe Bozzay brought WNE back on top 9-5. Bay Path had a six-point drive that put them ahead 13-10, and they held on to their lead until the Golden Bears earned three in a row, score 19-18. The Wildcats took a one-point lead folloeing two errors from the Golden Bears but eventually WNE fought out a win in set two, 25-23.

The last two sets belonged to the Golden Bears. The Wildcats had the first set lead at 3-1 and 7-4. The Golden bears made it 8-8, Bay Path took another two-point lead, the rest of the set was dominated by WNE. The Golden Bears had seven straight, putting them ahead 19-11. A few scores back-and forth and then three kills from Molina ended set three for the Golden Bears 25-18. In set four the Wildcats scored only 10 points after getting ahead 5-2. The golden bears shut out the wildcats for five straight and then eight straight plays. The Golden Bears finished the game defeating the Wildcats 3-1.

Inside the Numbers:

• The Golden Bears finished the game with 44 kills, 36 assists, 70 digs, and one block while hitting .199 percent.
• The Wildcats ended with 31 kills, 31 assists, 68 digs, while hitting .109 percent
• Yemayma Molina again led Western New England in kills with 14, adding three digs and a block.
• Sarah Scott added with 13 kills, 21 digs, two service aces and two assists.
• Hailey Sell contributed with 17 assists and Zoe Bozzay had seven service aces.

Up Next: The Golden Bears are once again on the road for their fourth away game in a row. They are headed to Gordon College Tuesday, October 4, to take on the Fighting Scots in CCC action at 7 p.m.