University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
0-2
Indiana University
2-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 26 | 19 | 29 | 25 | 3 |
| New Hampshire | 24 | 25 | 27 | 19 | 1 |
Volleyball Earns Split to Conclude the UConn Classic
8/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
STORRS, Conn. -- The University of New Hampshire volleyball team split a pair of matches, downing Central Connecticut State University, 3-2, after falling to Indiana University, 3-1, Saturday to close out play at the University of Connecticut Classic.
UNH now stands at 1-2 on the season. The set scores against the Hoosiers were 24-26, 25-19, 27-29 and 19-25, while the set scores against the Blue Devils were 25-21, 21-25, 23-25, 26-24 and 15-11. Following the match, junior outside hitter Tori Forrest (Powder Springs, Ga.) earned all-tournament honors for her efforts in the UConn Classic.
Against Indiana, Forrest recorded her first double-double of the season with 13 kills and 12 digs. Classmate Cassidy Croci (Sylvania, Ohio) tallied five kills and a career-high 11 blocks. Junior outside hitter Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) totaled nine kills while sophomore middle blocker Demi Muses (Orangevale, Calif.) registered seven kills and a personal-best 11 digs. Senior setter Taylor Dunklau (Mukwonago, Wis.) controlled the offense with 38 assists. Junior defensive specialist Madison Lightfoot (Clarkston, Mich.) notched 18 digs in the loss.
Forrest continued to be the offensive leader for UNH in the match against Central Connecticut. The co-captain notched a career-high 25 kills in the come-from-behind win. Muses recorded her first career double-double with 13 kills and 13 digs. Freshman right side hitter Sasha Cucuz (Plymouth, Mich.) also logged a personal-best 12 kills. Dunklau orchestrated the offense to a .259 attack percentage with 54 assists. Defensively, Lightfoot anchored the backline with 30 digs while Muses racked up six blocks by the net.
In the opening set against Indiana, the Hoosiers edged out the Wildcats, 26-24. The frame featured five lead changes and four tied scores. Forrest led UNH in the stanza with five kills. Croci and Dunklau tallied block totals of four and three respectively. After falling behind 7-2, New Hampshire clawed back to hold a 16-14 advantage. The 'Cats continued to hold their slight advantage as the score stood, 23-21. Following an Indiana timeout, the Hoosiers leveled the score with back-to-back points. UNH used a timeout as well and recaptured the lead with a Brinkman kill. Despite that, IU earned set point by capturing the next three points.
UNH ramped up its defense, winning the second set, 25-19. Forrest and Muses each recorded four kills apiece. New Hampshire's defense hindered Indiana to a .000 attack percentage in the frame. The Wildcats overcame a 10-6 deficit in the stanza to even the score at 13 all. UNH continued its momentum as a 7-3 run paved the way for UNH to clinch set point.
The Hoosiers squeaked by the Wildcats with a score of 29-27 in a closely contested third set. Indiana and New Hampshire exchanged the lead five times and evened the score on seven occasions. Brinkman paced the offense with four kills in the stanza. Croci notched three blocks while Lightfoot recorded seven digs. Falling behind 19-14, New Hampshire stormed back with a 10-5 run to tie the score at 24 apiece. UNH won the ensuing point on a block by Brenna Buckwalter (Evergreen, Colo.) and Croci to force set point on the Hoosiers. However, IU extended the set and picked up timely kills to capture the third game.
New Hampshire fell in the decisive fourth set, 19-25. Senior middle blocker Delaney Dameron (Alpharetta, Ga.) paced the offense with three kills on four swings in the frame. The teams continued to contest for the lead with tie scores at 7-7, 15-15 and 16-16. The Hoosiers closed out the match by capturing nine of the next 13 points to seize match point.
In the match against Central Connecticut, UNH won the first set, 25-21. Forrest and Muses powered the offense for the 'Cats with five kills each. Each side remained close as the score stood at 18-17 in favor of CCSU. New Hampshire took control of the lead with four consecutive points, fueled by three-straight kills from Forrest. The Wildcats were able to hold on to win the first set.
Central Connecticut bounced back to claim the second set, 25-21. The Wildcats jetted out to a 7-3 advantage. However, the Blue Devils rallied back to tie the score at 14 apiece. New Hampshire could not stop CCSU's momentum as the Blue Devils earned set point and tied the match.
CCSU earned its first lead of the match by taking the third frame, 23-25. In the stanza that featured seven lead changes and 12 tied scores, UNH held a 16-15 edge. Coming out of a Blue Devil timeout, Central Connecticut strung together four consecutive points. The Wildcats battled back, recapturing the lead at 23-22. However, the Blue Devils closed out the frame with three consecutive points.
New Hampshire started its comeback in the fourth set as the Wildcats broke away from a 13-13 even score with a 7-4 run to lead 20-17. Despite Central Connecticut pulling within a point, UNH staved off the rally to force a fifth set.
UNH's offense performed its best in the decisive frame, logging a .364 attack percentage. Cucuz fueled the New Hampshire offense with four kills on eight swings and no errors. Each side traded points as the score stood at 10 apiece. The Wildcats pulled away with a 5-1 run to claim the set and their first win of the 2014 season.
UNH remains on the road as the Wildcats participate in the Golden Flashes Classic at Kent State University. New Hampshire clashes with Morehead State University (11 a.m.) and the University of Evansville (5 p.m.) on Friday, Sept. 5. UNH plays in the last match of the tournament against the host Golden Flashes on Saturday, Sept. 6 (6 p.m.). The Wildcats host their home opener Tuesday, Sept. 16 (7 p.m.) against Northeastern University to begin a season-long nine-game homestand.
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.
