University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
7-10, 1-0AE
University of Massachusetts Lowell
1-15, 0-1AE
Volleyball Stymies UMass Lowell in Straight Sets
9/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of New Hampshire volleyball team toppled the University of Massachusetts Lowell in straight sets Friday evening at Lundholm Gymnasium.
The victory, which was the team's fifth straight America East opening win, came by set scores of 25-19, 25-14 and 25-14. UNH improves its record to 7-10 and 1-0 in conference play. UML falls to 1-15, 0-1.
New Hampshire's defense limited UMass Lowell to a .024 attack percentage, thanks in part to a personal-best 24 digs from senior defensive specialist Katie Sattora (Avon, N.Y.). Sattora's performance was highlighted by an 18-dig effort in the second set. Junior outside hitter Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) led the way on offense, totaling 12 kills and a .314 attack percentage. She also added nine digs and two blocks. Classmate Brenna Buckwalter (Evergreen, Colo.) contributed nine kills and hit a match-high .429 in the win while pitching in a career-high 12 digs. Senior setter Taylor Dunklau (Mukwonago, Wis.) dished out 39 assists to quarterback the offense.
The River Hawks bolted out to a 4-0 lead to begin the match. However, the Wildcats battled back to even the score at eight apiece. Each side continued to trade points as the score was tied at 17-17 and 18-18. Back-to-back New Hampshire kills from junior middle blocker Cassidy Croci (Sylvania, Ohio) and Brinkman upped the score to 20-18, forcing the River Hawks to call timeout. UNH closed out the first set with a 5-1 run to claim the opening set point.
UMass Lowell again jumped on the board with a quick 5-1 lead to start the second stanza. New Hampshire quickly erased the four-point deficit, rattling off five of the next six points to knot it at 6-6. The Wildcats continued their momentum as the home team engineered a 7-2 surge to lead 13-8. After trading the next six points, kills from freshman outside hitter Courtney Bowman (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) and Croci gave the home team a 18-11 edge. New Hampshire concluded the frame with a 7-3 run to own a 2-0-match lead into intermission.
The elimination set broke out with an even 2-2 mark, but UNH quickly took advantage of the River Hawks with an 8-4 run to draw the River Hawks into a timeout. New Hampshire kept its composure, constructing a 7-3 run to take a 17-9 advantage late in the stanza. The Wildcats preserved their lead for the remainder of the set, capped off by a Brinkman kill to complete the three-set sweep.
The Wildcats return to the court Sunday, Sept. 28 (1 p.m.) to wrap up non-conference play against the New Jersey Institute of Technology. UNH will host a free Kids' Club Clinic following the match.
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.
