Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Wentworth Institute of Technology got through a tight 2nd set and picked up a 3-0 Conference of New England women's volleyball result (25-14, 25-23, 25-16) against the University of New England on Wednesday night (Oct. 22) at Coach Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum.

The Leopards (16-4, 5-1 CNE) received a match-best 14 kills out of Emma Sanders, who also had 13 digs. Jagoda Szczepaniak and Kinsey Lutz added six kills apiece, aided by the 29 assists from Olivia Vaughn, who logged WIT's other double-double with 12 digs to her credit. Amanda Zweifler led all players with 22 digs on the back end, and Szczepaniak contributed 11 more.

For the Nor'easters (10-9, 3-3), Kailyn Reilly tallied nine kills on 19 errorless swings (.474 hitting). Hannah Nowell and Ellijah Hanley each chipped in with six kills. Defensively, Chloe Miracle notched 18 digs, Nowell had 16 more, and Kelsey Bradshaw collected 13. Hayley Shult finished with a double-double of 21 assists and 11 digs.

Things were back-and-forth early, until a 12-3 stretch gave Wentworth control of the 1st frame (16-8). UNE spotted the visitors four points at the top of the 2nd, only to manage leads at 9-7, 10-8, 13-11, 14-12, 15-13, 17-15, and 18-16. Miracle provided the hosts with a 23-22 edge, but a couple of miscues around a Lutz kill put the last three points on the Leopards' side.

A span of six unanswered during the initial stages of the 3rd -- including a kill and two aces by Sanders -- shifted WIT ahead for good (10-4).

The Nor'easters will stay at home to entertain Western New England University on Saturday (5 p.m.) during Homecoming Weekend.