Statistics
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The University of New England had three players with hitting efficiencies above .320 and chalked up an important Conference of New England (CNE) women's volleyball victory against Western New England University, 3-1 (25-15, 25-18, 14-25, 25-20), at the AHL Center on Saturday (Oct. 3).
With the result, the Nor'easters halt their skid and level off at 5-5 overall, 1-1 in league contests.
"This was a much-needed win," commented UNE head coach Ian Blanchard. "We have been very close in so many of our recent matches, so it was really nice to get on the right side and do it against a conference opponent, on the road, no less. We still have things we need to clean up, but I like the way we responded to finish in four sets."
Hannah Nowell totaled 18 kills with a .400 conversion rate,
Tess Madden notched 17 at a .324 clip, and
Josie Eliot constructed a 6-0-11 line for a .545 average. The visiting attack was guided by 21 assists from
Olivia Hollander and another 18 by
Hayley Shult.
"We got outstanding hitting performances from Hannah and Tess on the outside," Blanchard added. "They were both over 50% killing percentage and continued to limit their unforced errors. Olivia did good job of finding Josie for some really good attacking situations, especially late in the match. Lylah was particularly key on the back row, providing us with numerous transition opportunities."
In her junior season, Shult's performance put her over the 1,000 assist plateau -- the 11th player in the last 30 years to do so during a UNE career.Â
"That is a wonderful milestone for any setter," noted Blanchard. "Hayley is a calming influence for our offense, and I'm really happy for her with this accomplishment."
On the defensive side of things,
Lylah Shumway picked up 15 digs and Nowell added 12. Eliot factored in all but one of the team's five blocks.
Madden went for nearly half of her kill total in the 1st set, with eight of UNE's 15 winners early on. Three came down the stretch of the frame, around an ace from Shult, to close on a 6-0 run.
Nowell had seven kills on 11 errorless swings in the 2nd to help the Nor'easters to a commanding advantage. UNE sealed the victory in the 4th session, behind a combined 11 kills from Madden (mostly early) and Nowell (the last two to end it).
For the Golden Bears (3-11, 0-2 CNE), Charlei Henkel registered 16 kills, Ellie Rose supplied 17 assists and four aces, and Hilarie Porcaro had 15 digs.
UNE will stay in CNE play and head to Suffolk University on Wednesday.
