Statistics

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Western New England University closed with a 13-3 run to claim the 5th set in a 3-2 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) women's volleyball outcome (25-13, 18-25, 25-17, 21-25, 15-7) versus the University of New England on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 29) at the AHL Center.

By securing the regular-season finale, the Golden Bears (16-12, 4-5 CCC) assume the No.6 seed in the upcoming championship, while the Nor'easters (6-16, 2-7 CCC) settle in the No.8 spot.

The back-and-forth match started with two fairly convincing frames for each side. Things tightened up a bit in the 3rd, as UNE led 13-12 before a kill and then block by WNEU's Taylor Geist sparked four straight to flip the edge for good. 

The Nor'easters were ahead or even for all but one point in the 4th, but needed to survive a late 6-1 spurt by the Golden Bears which tied the stanza at 20-all. A service error put the visitors in front, 22-21, and Ellijah Hanley knocked down winners on two of the next three points to force the deciding period.

Sarah Scott had four of her match-high 16 kills in the final set to lead the closing effort for the hosts. Scott also had a team-best 24 digs, while Alissa Hawes was right there to support with 12 kills and 23 digs. Geist dialed up 40 assists to go with seven kills and five aces.

Hanley topped UNE with 14 kills, and Lauren Davenport added 10 along with 14 digs. The defensive stand was paced by 25 digs out of Addie Miller, who also put up 31 assists. Morgan Lynch was another key factor keeping points alive, racking up 19 digs.

By virtue of the eighth seed, the Nor'easters draw No.1 Gordon College in Tuesday's quarterfinal round [Interactive Bracket]. When the squads met in Biddeford back on September 28, UNE held a two-set lead until the Fighting Scots rallied for the win.