University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
6-10, 0-0AE
Harvard University
7-2, 0-0Ivy
Volleyball Concedes Four-Set Loss to Harvard
9/24/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of New Hampshire volleyball team dropped a four-set match to Harvard University on Wednesday night at Lundholm Gymnasium on Professor Appreciation Night. The loss came by set scores of 14-25, 25-22, 20-25 and 16-25 on Professor Appreciation Night.
The Crimson improves its record to 7-2 in the non-conference match. New Hampshire falls to 6-10.
Juniors Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio), Brenna Buckwalter (Evergreen, Colo.) and Cassidy Croci (Sylvania, Ohio) all notched nine kills in the match. Brinkman and Buckwalter added eight digs apiece while Croci racked up four blocks. Senior setter Taylor Dunklau (Mukwonago, Wis.) posted 39 assists and seven digs. Junior defensive specialist Madison Lightfoot (Clarkston, Mich.) anchored the backcourt with 18 digs.
Leading 9-8 in the opening set, the Wildcats scored three unanswered to up the score to 12-8 thanks to two kills by Buckwalter and an attack error by the Crimson. Harvard countered with a 6-1 run to make it 14-13 in favor of the Crimson, forcing UNH to take a timeout. Not phased by the stoppage, Harvard rattled off 11 of the next 12 points to capture set one.
The two sides contested for the lead early in the second frame as the two sides were knotted at eight apiece. Harvard managed to carve out a small advantage at 12-10. However, New Hampshire retaliated with four consecutive points to take a 14-12 lead. The Crimson reclaimed the lead, stringing together a 5-1 run as UNH requested a timeout. The Wildcats matched the Crimson's previous surge to own a 20-18 lead and forcing Harvard to take a breather. The Crimson managed to tie the match at the 22 mark late in the stanza. Sophomore outside hitter Maggie Kenney (Merrimack, N.H.) lifted the 'Cats to clinch set two with a kill and a pair of blocks to level the match score at 1-1.
New Hampshire and Harvard exchanged the lead eight times and had 15 tie scores in the fourth frame. Neither team could pull away from the other late in the set, as both teams were locked in draws at 13-13, 15-15 and 16-16. Back-to-back kills by the Crimson gave the away team an 18-16 edge as UNH burned a timeout. The Wildcats countered with four straight points to lead 20-18. Despite the late lead, the Crimson jolted ahead, tallying seven consecutive points to seize set three and take a 2-1 match lead.
The Crimson bolted out of the gate in the fourth stanza to take an 8-1 lead. Harvard and New Hampshire continued to trade points as the score rose to 17-10. Buckwalter's four kills temporarily jumpstarted the UNH offense. However, the Crimson managed to claim the decisive set and secure match point.
The Wildcats begin their America East title defense Friday, Sept. 26 (7 p.m.), welcoming the University of Massachusetts Lowell to Lundholm Gymnasium. UNH closes out non-conference play at home Sunday, Sept. 28 (1 p.m.) in its first-ever match against the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Please visit 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.
