Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England captured 11 of the last 12 points in the 4th set to finish off a 3-1 non-conference women's volleyball victory against Newbury College on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 30) at the Harold Alfond Forum. Set scores were 25-22, 25-22, 10-25, and 25-19.

Sophomore Grayson Szczepaniak led a balanced attack for the Nor'easters (1-1) with eight kills, and senior Leah Janelle contributed seven. Senior Rachel McGahie and sophomore Erika Sawicki (4 blocks) each tallied six winners, while first-year Teddi Kramer entered in the final stanza to register five kills. Rookies Brooke Gibbons and Kristen Falcinelli went for 21 and 13 assists, respectively, and sophomore Nikki Mathewson pulled up a team-high 14 digs.

For the Nighthawks (0-2), first-year Lina Miranda notched a match-best 12 kills to go with nine digs. Sophomore Courtney Banks added eight kills and factored in four blocks. First-year Maya Umoren, sophomore Kylie Kowalski, and sophomore Kataya Sykes combined for 18 addition kills and chipped in with parts of five blocks. First-year Heather Parish totaled 32 assists to help pace the offense, while senior Meghan McDermott had 14 digs and four service aces.

After UNE found a way to get through the initial two sets by slim margins, Newbury got on a roll in the 3rd frame and cruised to the 15-point decision. In the 4th, Big Blue faced an 18-13 deficit coming out of a timeout and received a kill from sophomore Cassie Desrochers that started a rally. Desrochers then stepped up to serve and the hosts polished off the ensuing eight points to seize control.

Both sides had dropped matches against Emerson College earlier in the day.

The Nor'easters are off for a week before entertaining another tri-match with Lasell College and Colby-Sawyer College on September 6. The Nighthawks return home to face Suffolk University on Friday.