Bates Box Score
Johnson and Wales Box Score

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- The University of New England split a pair of matches Friday evening at the 28th Annual Crabtree Classic hosted by Eastern Connecticut State University at Geissler Gymnasium.  The Nor'easters defeated Bates College in their opening match before falling to Johnson and Wales University in the nightcap.

Junior Claire Varner had 14 kills and was 15-for-16 on serves received to help lead the University of New England to a 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-21) whitewash of Bates.  Sophomore Chelsea Boyle played a strong match, coming up with 17 digs and successfully returning 15 of 17 Bates' service attempts.  Senior Josie Raphaelito added 11 digs, and classmate Alex Toregas was credited with three solo blocks.

In the second match, UNE took the first set, 25-22, then dropped three straight (22-25, 11-25, 14-25).  Varner registered a team-high 11 kills, while Toregas had eight and sophomore Kristen Edwards six.  Junior Ellen Choinski and sophomore Angie Gust contributed 20 digs apiece.

The Nor'easters (11-10) return to play tomorrow with contests versus host Eastern Connecticut (10:00 a.m.) and Bridgewater State College (12:30 p.m.).