Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Western New England University overcame a blistering start by the University of New England to grind out a 3-1 women's volleyball result (16-25, 26-24, 26-24, 25-13) in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) opener on Saturday (Sep. 23) at Coach Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum.

The Golden Bears (6-4, 1-0 CCC) managed to survive while being on the short end of kills, 48-40, and getting out-hit in percentage (.158 to .107). The visitors did snag a few points back by having more aces (11-7) and blocks (9-6).

With five kills apiece from Hannah Nowell and Ellijah Hanley, against just one combined error, the Nor'easters (5-3, 0-1 CCC) raced out to the 1st set. UNE's attacking rate was .333 in the frame (15-2-39).

While Hanley and Nowell got the hosts a 2-0 cushion in the 2nd, a couple aces from Taylor Geist helped the only lead-change of the session (4-2). WNEU extended the spread to as many as seven (22-15), but the Nor'easters orchestrated a 9-2 run to pull even at 24-all -- Viktoria Pavlyuk had a couple kills and a solo block in the spurt. However, after gaining back that ground, a service error put the visitors back on top, and a block by Alissa Hawes and Yemayma Molina provided the deciding point.

The Nor'easters were hampered by 12 service miscues on the day. The Golden Bears leveled the overall match despite a -.036 hitting percentage in the 2nd, while UNE was still operating in a more efficient system (.242).

A 7-0 span by Western New England established the first bit of separation in the 3rd (14-8), only to see the Nor'easters rally back to tie things at 16-all. The teams traded several points down the stretch until WNEU had set-point at 24-22, but a winner from Nowell and ace by Reese LeMay knotted the score. Once again, the Golden Bears had the answer, as Hawes put down the ensuing two points for the overall lead.

After exchanging the first five plays in the 4th (UNE 3-2), WNEU rattled off eight in-a-row to take control -- featuring four points by Hawes.

Hawes had six kills in both the 3rd and 4th sets on the way to 16 for the day, which she paired with 16 digs and four block assists. Molina totaled nine kills with five block assists, and Isabelle Petty went four eight kills and four blocks (2 solo). Geist setup the attack with 33 assists, and her three aces were matched by Becca Mayer, who paced the defensive effort with 21 digs. Elizabeth Long contributed 19 digs, as well.

Kassidy Bradshaw wasn't far away from a triple-double on the Nor'easter side, racking up 36 assists, 13 digs, and seven kills (.375). Hanley also logged a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs, and Nowell finished with 11 kills. Pavlyuk added seven winners and Kailyn Reilly thumped down six to go with four blocks. Addie Miller led all players with 26 defensive digs.

For UNE, which heads for Plymouth State University on Wednesday, it was the first contest of the year that went beyond three sets.