Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Fourth-seeded Western New England University defeated No. 5 University of New England, 3-2, in the first round of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Women's Volleyball Championship -- a match played Wednesday evening at the Alumni Heathful Living Center. Set scores were 25-14, 18-25, 25-23, 20-25, and 15-12.

The Golden Bears (15-13) advance into Thursday's semifinals and will visit top-seeded Roger Williams University, while the Nor'easters end their season with a record of 15-14.

Sophomore Maureen Pollet (Dix Hills, N.Y.) led the way for the hosts with 15 kills, while classmate Ashley McMullen (South Bethlehem, N.Y.) and first-year Kasey Cameron (Reading, Mass.) each recorded 11 in support. First-year Val Smith (Norristown, Pa.) was credited with 31 assists to help get the attack going. First-year Grace Kucharski (Avon, Conn.) and junior Jenn Mears (Amherst, Mass.) combined for 36 digs in the match.

For UNE, junior Paige Curran (Chelmsford, Mass.) tallied a team-high 12 kills, to go along with three solo blocks and two service aces. First-year Leah Janelle (Madbury, N.H.) had 10 kills for the offense, and sophomore setter Maria Kuehl (Middleton, N.H.) ended with 29 assists.

Five players reached double digits in digs for Big Blue, led by a match-best 22 from sophomore Kirsta Adie (Tyngsboro, Mass.). Junior Jackie Stone (Saginaw, Mich.) recorded 16, Janelle 15, senior Abby Davis (Somersworth, N.H.) 13, and Kuehl 11.