Box Score

BOSTON -- Grayson Szczepaniak and Courtney Lambrese tallied 14 kills apiece to lead the attack as the University of New England was able to hold off a comeback attempt by Wentworth Institute of Technology and pick up a 3-2 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) women's volleyball victory on Wednesday evening (Sep. 23) at Tansey Gymnasium. Set scores were 22-25, 25-14, 25-21, 18-25, and 15-6.
 
With the win, the Nor'easters have now taken 11 consecutive meetings with the Leopards. UNE (1-0 CCC) moves its overall record to 3-3 on the year, while WIT (0-1 CCC) drops to 4-8 with the loss. 

After dropping a close opening set, Big Blue claimed the second with ease after getting out to a 15-3 lead. UNE broke away from 10-all in the third with a 13-3 run, though Wentworth made things tight towards the end and carried the momentum over into the fourth, as the Leopards surged out to a 8-1 cushion and never looked back to force a fifth set.

The Nor'easters finished strong in the final frame, however, scoring eight of the final nine points to seal the victory. Lambrese was a key factor down the stretch as she recorded four of the team's twelve kills in the fifth.

Aiding Szczepaniak (also 4 blocks) and Lambrese for UNE was Kristen Falcinelli and Brooke Gibbons, who each contributed eight digs while posting 33 and 11 assists, respectively. First-year libero Brittany Morrison tallied a match-high 15 digs for the Nor'easters.

Wentworth was paced by Hannah Bailey, who led the hosts with 13 kills and a team-high 12 digs. Amanda Hunton also recorded a double-double with 16 assists and 10 digs. Lillie Clark totaled 11 digs and four aces.

UNE will stay on the road and visit Western New England University on Saturday for a 1 p.m. conference matchup. The Leopards will look to bounce back as they travel to Endicott College for an 11 a.m. CCC contest the same day.