Volleyball Silences Stony Brook, Winning Streak Extended to Eight Matches

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Sep 6

2 PM

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vs #4 Kentucky

University Park, Pa.

Sep 7

2 PM

Women's Volleyball

at #5 Penn State

University Park, Pa.

Sep 12

1 PM

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vs Saint Francis (Pa.)

Sep 12

6 PM

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Sep 13

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Sep 16

6 PM

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Durham, N.H.

Sep 18

3 PM (Eastern)

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vs Loyola Marymount

Sep 19

6 PM (Eastern)

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at #10 Texas A&M

DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of New Hampshire volleyball team continued its winning streak, upending Stony Brook University in straight sets Saturday afternoon at Lundholm Gymnasium for Real 'Cats Wear Pink.

UNH's seventh sweep of the season came by set scores of 25-17, 25-18 and 25-13.

The Wildcats up their overall record to 14-7 and 6-0 in America East play. Stony Brook falls to 8-14, 4-2. New Hampshire has now tallied 17 straight victories over conference opponents.

Seniors Cassidy Croci (Sylvania, Ohio) and Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) eclipsed double digits in kills to lead the 'Cats offensively. Croci slammed 12 kills on 23 swings with just two errors for a .476 hitting percentage. Brinkman landed 11 kills on 21 attempts with two errors to log a .391 clip. Junior setter Keelin Severtson (Delray Beach, Fla.) directed the offense to a .297 hitting percentage, distributing 35 assists. The reigning America East Setter of the Week also added three service aces, three digs and two kills in the win. Senior defensive specialist Madison Lightfoot (Clarkston, Mich.) scooped up 21 digs in the backcourt as Stony Brook was held to a .029 hitting percentage.

The Seawolves were led by an eight-kill performance from senior outside hitter Kathy Fletcher. Classmate Nicole Vogel was one dig shy of a double-double, posting 22 assists and nine digs. Senior defensive specialist Lo Hathaway pitched in six digs.

The first set saw neither tram able to pull away early as the two sides found themselves knotted at 13-13. A Croci kill sparked a four-point scoring flurry for the home team as UNH looked up at a 17-13 advantage. A timeout by Stony Brook did not slow down the New Hampshire offense. The Wildcats prevailed on four of the next five exchanges to up their lead to 21-14, forcing the visitors to huddle again. UNH were able to trade points for the remainder of the stanza, punctuated by a Tori Forrest (Powder Springs, Ga.) kill to take set one.

Much like the previous set, the two sides traded leads early as the score was tangled at the nine mark in the early goings of the second stanza. Senior outside hitter Maggie Kenney (Merrimack, N.H.) and Croci teamed up for a block as the Seawolves opted to use a timeout trailing 10-9. The block proved to be a catalyst for the UNH offense as Brinkman, Croci, Forrest and Severtson all landed kills to backbone a 7-2 run. However, the 'Cats saw their 17-11 lead whittled down to 18-16 as the Seawolves clawed back into the game. UNH would not relinquish its lead as four Wildcat kills combined with three hitting errors by the Seawolves forged the second set win a 2-0 lead into intermission.

UNH showcased its best offensive performance on the afternoon in the final set, bolting out to a 10-5 lead. New Hampshire continued to distribute the ball to all options as
Forrest, Kenney, Brinkman and Croci all connected on kills. The 'Cats extended its lead to double figures with a 5-1 surge, highlighted by back-to-back aces from Severtson. Stony Brook used a timeout out to try and slow down the Wildcat scoring barrage. However, the Wildcats never looked back as Kenney slashed the match-deciding ace to clinch the win and the sweep.

The Wildcats take their eight-match winning streak on the road to the University of Hartford on Saturday, Oct. 24 (7 p.m.). UNH plays its last two home regular season contests, welcoming Binghamton University (Oct. 30; 7 p.m.) and the University at Albany (Nov. 1; 1 p.m.). The match against UAlbany will also be Senior Day for the six-member class.

Please visit UNHWildcats.com or follow the Wildcats via social media on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNHWildcats), Twitter (@UNHWildcats), YouTube (www.youtube.com/UNHAthletics), Instagram (@UNHWildcats) and Snapchat (@UNHWildcats) for the latest news and information on all 20 varsity sports. For additional information on the UNH volleyball team, like the squad on Facebook or follow the 'Cats on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @UNHVOLLEYBALL.

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