Box Score

(portions of the story courtesy Babson College)

BABSON PARK, Mass. -- The University of New England volleyball team advanced to the semifinal round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Championship with a straight-set victory over Babson College in a quarterfinal-round match played Wednesday evening.

The fourth-seeded Nor'easters (18-14) will head to top-seeded Colby-Sawyer College (23-12) in New London, N.H. for a noon start on Saturday.  The Chargers took a 3-0 decision over UNE back on Oct. 14 in the only meeting between the two The Commonwealth Coast Conference squads.

The Nor'easters began pulling away late in the first set, building a 22-18 advantage. Babson then came storming back with a 6-1 run to go up 24-23, but UNE weathered the storm and eventually took the set, 27-25. The visitors would control the match from that point on, winning the final two frames by comfortable margins of 25-18 and 25-15.

Senior middle Alex Toregas had a huge night at the net for UNE recording eight blocks and five kills. Sophomore Kristen Edwards had a big match with seven kills, while junior Ellen Choinski dished out a team-high 20 assists. Senior Josie Raphaelito finished with six total blocks, four kills, and three digs, junior Claire Varner added eight digs and five kills, and sophomore libero Chelsea Boyle contributed 12 digs.

First-year Meg Flaherty had seven kills and three digs for Babson, while junior Caitlin O'Neill also recorded seven kills to go with two service aces. Junior libero Shanna Glassner was brilliant in the back for the Beavers, finishing with a match-high 21 digs, and first-year setter amassed a match-high 22 assists to go with eight digs.