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BIDDEFORD, Maine -- One point from dropping the 3rd frame (24-21), the University of New England roared back with six of the ensuing seven points to claim the set (27-25) on its way to a 3-1 victory over Clark University in the women's volleyball season-opener Friday evening (Aug. 30) at the Harold Alfond Forum. Set scores were 25-23, 25-25, 27-25, and 25-18.
Senior Angie Brunette totaled four kills and two blocks in the closing run of that 3rd set, and finished with 14 winners to go with seven blocks. Junior Leah Janelle paced the Nor'easters with a match-high 15 kills and registered 10 digs. Classmate Rachel McGahie added 11 kills and 18 digs, while first-year Grayson Szczepaniak totaled 10 kills, four service aces, and a pair of solo blocks.
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Caught in a storm... |
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UNE had Clark surrounded in Friday's win, as four different players reached double figures in kills. It was just the third such occurence in over 10 years of the program, dating back into times when sets were scored to 30 points instead of 25. |
Fueling the Big Blue attack was senior Maria Kuehl with 39 assists, and the setter also racked up a match-best 19 digs. Senior Kirsta Adie and first-year Nikki Mathewson combined for 30 digs (17 and 13, respectively).
The Cougars got 13 kills and 17 digs out of first-year Savannah Sanford, while sophomore Shannon Glass-Smythe contributed nine kills and a dozen digs. Senior Rachel Spera ended with 25 assists to help the attack, and junior Mel Conde dropped in four aces. First-year Mia Cattaneo was the third Clark player reaching double figures in the digs category, with 12.
Clark found itself down by as many as six during the initial stanza, but managed to pull even at 19-all (and 21-21). However, winners from Szczepaniak and Kuehl put UNE in front for good, and Brunette finished off the opening set with a kill.
The Nor'easters then led, 15-7, midway through the 2nd frame, but a collection of errors towards the end allowed the visitors to level things at a set apiece.
After regaining the advantage with the 3rd set victory, Big Blue surged out in the 4th, assuming a 17-4 cushion at one stage. Clark reduced the deficit down to six (24-18) before Brunette capped the match with her 20th point of the evening.
UNE is now off until September 7 when it heads into New Hampshire for dates with Bridgewater State University and Colby-Sawyer College.
The Cougars are back in action Tuesday (7 p.m.) for their home-opener against Eastern Connecticut State University.
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