University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
12-11, 5-1AE
University of Hartford
13-10, 2-4AE
Volleyball Wins Third Consecutive Match, Downs Hartford in Four Sets
10/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -- Junior right side hitter Brenna Buckwalter (Evergreen, Colo.) tallied a team-high 12 kills to propel the University of New Hampshire volleyball team to its third straight win, defeating the University of Hartford on the road in four sets Sunday afternoon to conclude the first half of America East play.
The victory came by set scores of 25-11, 25-18, 21-25 and 25-12.
New Hampshire improves their overall record to 12-11 on the season and 5-1 in conference frays, preserving its top spot in the league standings. Hartford drops to 13-10, 2-4.
Sophomore middle blocker Demi Muses' (Orangevale, Calif.) career-high 11 blocks along with four more from Buckwalter led the way for UNH to control the net, finishing with a season-high 14 total blocks. Muses aided the offensive effort with nine kills while juniors Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) and Cassidy Croci (Sylvania, Ohio) chipped in eight apiece.
Senior setter Taylor Dunklau (Mukwonago, Wis.) orchestrated the attack, dishing out 38 assists and added eight digs and two aces. Junior defensive specialist Madison Lightfoot (Clarkston, Mich.) and Brinkman paced the digs effort, scooping up 15 and 12 respectively. Brinkman's 12 digs was a career-high for the outside hitter.
After conceding the first point of the match, UNH stormed out to a 7-1 lead in the first frame and never looked back, thanks to a four-kill and five-block effort from Muses. Buckwalter tacked on a set-high five kills as New Hampshire overpowered the Hawks in the opening set win, featuring a .357 hitting percentage.
The Wildcats saw themselves down early in the second stanza, 6-3, but managed to tie the set at 7-7 and 12-12. New Hampshire took its first lead of the frame on an 8-1 surge, tallying six kills in the run to lead 18-13. After a Hartford timeout, the Hawks countered with a 5-1 blast to narrow UNH's advantage down to a point. However, New Hampshire staved off the rally and capped off the set, recording six straight points to take a 2-0 match lead.
The third stanza featured both teams exchanging blows in the early going and tied at 10 apiece. UNH carved out a 15-13 edge momentarily, but it was erased by a four-point run by the Hawks to lead 17-15. Despite a New Hampshire timeout, Hartford aimed to avoid the sweep and stretched its lead to 24-18 late in the set. The 'Cats cut down the deficit in half with three-straight points, but the Hawks notched the decisive point to force a fourth frame.
The Wildcats pounced on the Hawks in the fourth set, constructing a 10-1 lead early. UNH maintained a minimum eight-point lead for the rest of the match, eventually extending its lead by 14 at 23-9. Croci sealed the deal for the Wildcats with a match-winning kill.
New Hampshire looks to remain atop the America East standings Friday, Oct. 24 (7 p.m.), hosting the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Check out UNHWildcats.com or follow the Wildcats via social media on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNHWildcats), Twitter (@UNHWildcats), YouTube (www.youtube.com/UNHAthletics) and Instagram (@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 (www.facebook.com/UNHVolleyball) or follow the 'Cats on Twitter and Instagram at @UNHVOLLEYBALL.
