Volleyball Upends UMass Lowell in Straight Sets

Friday, November 6

Lowell, Mass.

7 PM

University of New Hampshire

17-8, 9-1

University of Massachusetts Lowell

4-22, 1-8

New Hampshire

UMass Lowell

Brinkman unleashed 10 kills and a career-high .643 attack percentage in the sweep over UML.

Photo by: Gil Talbot

11/6/2015 9:41:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

LOWELL, Mass. -- Before high offensive numbers, the University of New Hampshire volleyball team defeated the University of Massachusetts Lowell in straight sets at Costello Athletic Center on Friday night.

UNH's 10^th sweep of the season came by scores of 25-15, 25-10 and 25-12. The Wildcats unleashed a season-high .433 hitting percentage in the triumph.

New Hampshire ups its overall record to 17-8 and 9-1 in America East play. UMass Lowell falls to 4-22, 1-8. The Wildcats never trailed in the contest.

Senior outside hitter Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) slammed 10 kills on 14 swings to record a career-high .643 hitting percentage. Classmate Cassidy Croci (Sylvania, Ohio) landed eight kills on 14 attacks to register a .500 hitting percentage coupled by three blocks. Junior setter Keelin Severtson (Delray Beach, Fla.) piloted the offense by dishing out 36 assists while matching her career-high in service aces with four. Junior middle blocker Demi Muses (Orangevale, Calif.) shoveled out a match-high 12 attacks while tallying six kills. The Wildcats' defense held the River Hawks to just a .081 attack percentage on the night.

The River Hawks were led by a nine-kill performance from rookie outside hitter Haley Shimon. Alexa Toth and Delaney Mendez shared the setting duties, tallying assist totals of nine and 10, respectively. Rookie libero Lindsey Visvardis anchored the backline with 11 digs.

UNH posted its highest kill tally in set one, registering 18 kills on 35 attempts for a .400 hitting percentage. Spearheading the scoring barrage was senior outside hitter Tori Forrest (Powder Springs, Ga.), who chalked up seven terminations on 11 swings and no errors. After trading the first two points to start the match, the 'Cats sparked out to a 12-5 lead. UMass Lowell looked to slow down the UNH offense by calling a timeout. The Wildcats were not phased by the stoppage, extending their lead to double digits and never looking back.

New Hampshire turned to its service game in the second set, ripping seven aces from the line. Highlighting the effort was Severtson, who tallied three in the frame. UNH's offense continued to click on all cylinders, seizing 12 of the first 13 points pit of the chute. A pair of three-kill performances by Brinkman and Croci in the frame paced the hitting for the Wildcats in the frame. The visitors maintained a double-digit cushion to capture set two and a 2-0 lead into intermission.

UNH unleashed its highest hitting percentage in set three, logging a .469 clip. Senior outside hitter Maggie Kenney (Merrimack, N.H.) and Brinkman came out firing, notching four kills apiece in the decisive frame. The Wildcats jolted out to another hot start, hitting the 10-point threshold first with a 10-2 lead. The River Hawks battled to prolong the match, posting nine kills in the set. However, the Wildcats' offense was too much to overcome as the visitors clinched the third set and the sweep.

UNH, which clinched their fifth consecutive appearance in the America East Championships, aims to close out the regular season with a pair of crucial wins on the road. New Hampshire and the University at Albany remain tangled atop the America East standing with identical 9-1 conference records. The Wildcats return to the court Friday, Nov. 13 (5 p.m.) with a contest at Stony Brook University. UNH will play its regular-season finale at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County on Sunday, Nov. 15 (1 p.m.).

Log onto UNHWildcats.com or follow the Wildcats via social media on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNHWildcats), Twitter (@UNHWildcats), YouTube (www.youtube.com/UNHAthletics), Instagram (@UNHWildcats) and Snapchat (@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 or follow the 'Cats on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @UNHVOLLEYBALL. Text UNH to 90561 to sign up for Sports alerts. Message & Data Rates May Apply. 1 message/text. Consent to receive a text message is not a condition of purchasing goods or services. Text HELP to 90561 for info. STOP to cancel. T&Cs & Privacy Policy is available HERE.