University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
8-10, 1-0AE
New Jersey Institute of Technology
4-13Independent
Volleyball Sweeps NJIT in Non-Conference Finale
9/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of New Hampshire volleyball team closed out non-conference play with a three-set victory over the New Jersey Institute of Technology at Lundholm Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon. The victory came by set scores of 25-17, 25-22 and 28-26.
New Hampshire ups its record to 8-10 on the season. NJIT falls to 4-13. The Wildcats post their second consecutive win in straight sets.
Junior right side hitter Brenna Buckwalter (Evergreen, Colo.) led the 'Cats with a double-double effort of 12 kills and 12 digs. She also logged a match-high .474 attack percentage and two service aces. Classmates Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) and Cassidy Croci (Sylvania, Ohio) pitched in kill totals of nine and eight respectively. Croci also racked up a team-high five blocks
Senior setter Taylor Dunklau (Mukwonago, Wis.) orchestrated the offense with 29 assists while tacking on a pair of service aces. Four-year defensive specialist Katie Sattora (Avon, N.Y.) anchored the backcourt with 13 digs.
The Highlanders took the board first in the opening frame, but neither team budged in the early goings. NJIT carved out a 14-12 edge, forcing UNH to call timeout. The Wildcats countered with a 7-3 surge to regain the lead, 22-17. The Highlanders tried to muster control of the frame again, but a pair of timeouts did not phase the Wildcats. Freshman outside hitter Courtney Bowman (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) capped off the stanza with an ace to give New Hampshire the first set point.
New Hampshire displayed a high-powered offense in the second set, boasting a .517 clip and 18 kills. Croci paced the 'Cats in the frame in both kills (six) and hitting percentage (.750).
NJIT and UNH exchanged the first 16 points as the score stood at eight apiece. After a pair of Highlander points, the Wildcats retaliated with back-to-back aces by Dunklau sandwiched by kills from Croci and Buckwalter. Following a NJIT and trailing 14-12, the away team managed to even the set at the 12 mark. The stanza was tied at 18, but kills from junior middle hitter Kym Gordon (Canandaigua, N.Y.) and Croci broke the deadlock as the Wildcats held a 21-18 lead. NJIT utilized a 3-1 run to knot the set at the 22 mark. However, three straight points by the Wildcats gave UNH the set and a 2-0 match lead into intermission.
The Highlanders aimed to avoid a sweep as the third frame featured seven lead changes and 19 tied scores. NJIT pulled away at 17-17, engineering three consecutive points and forcing UNH to huddle. New Hampshire swiftly erased the deficit with three straight points as well. However, the Highlanders held a 24-23 advantage late in the set as the Wildcats faced set point. New Hampshire countered as a block by sophomore outside hitter Maggie Kenney (Merrimack, N.H.) and Croci followed by an attack error for NJIT put the home team in a position to complete the sweep. The Highlanders staved off a pair of match points, but an ace by Bowman sealed the deal for UNH to earn the victory.
New Hampshire begins America East play again as it welcomes Binghamton University to Lundholm Gymnasium on Friday, Oct. 3 (7 p.m.) The Wildcats end their nine-game homestand with the annual Dig Pink game Sunday, Oct. 5 (1 p.m.) against the University at Albany.
Tune into 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.
