Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Second-seeded Western New England University survived two set points against during the middle frame on the way to securing a 3-0 win over No. 7 University of New England in the quarterfinals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Women's Volleyball Championship on Wednesday night (Nov. 13) at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

Devyn Frank, Kasey Cameron, and Tyler Singh led a balanced attack for the Golden Bears (23-9), who will meet No. 3 Endicott in the Saturday's semifinal round.

Frank led the hosts with 14 points, coming from eight kills, three service aces, and three points on blocks. Cameron had seven kills and 10 points, along with seven digs. Singh totaled eight winners. Jessica Sincero and Jenna Leuck finished with 13 assists each while combining for 19 digs. Grace Kucharski registered a match-best 14 digs.

For the Nor'easters, who conclude the 2013 season with a record of 14-11, senior Angie Brunette and junior Leah Janelle went for seven and six kills, respectively. Senior setter Maria Kuehl ended with 21 assists, two aces, and seven digs. Defensively, senior Kirsta Adie and first-year Nikki Mathewson had 21 digs between the two of them.

WNE led 12-8 in the 1st set before rattling off a 13-2 run to clinch the opening stanza with ease.

The Golden Bears appeared to carry that energy into the next session, assuming advantages of of 5-0, 13-4, and 20-9 deep into the set. However, Big Blue recovered with an 11-2 spurt that left it down only two (22-20), and, after a UNE blocking error gave WNE its 23rd point, four unanswered for the Nor'easters put the visitors on top (24-23).

Singh tied it at 24-all with a kill, but an attack error gave the edge right back to UNE. This time, the Golden Bears capitalized on a UNE error by following with an ace and a winner from Frank to establish the 2-0 margin in sets.

Western New England never trailed in the 3rd set, and from up 13-7, finished with a stretch of 12-2 to seal the match.

It was the second time in eight days that the two programs had met. WNE recorded a five-set, come-from-behind triumph in the first round of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championship last Tuesday.