Volleyball Defeated by Michigan St. and BC to Conclude Holly Young Invitational

Saturday, September 12

Durham, N.H.

12:30 PM

University of New Hampshire

6-4, 0-0AE

Michigan State University

5-3, 0-0Big Ten

Michigan State

New Hampshire

Photo by: Elise Austin-Washburn

Volleyball Defeated by Michigan St. and BC to Conclude Holly Young Invitational

9/12/2015 9:47:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of New Hampshire volleyball team fell in a pair of matches against Michigan State University and Boston College to conclude the Holly Young Invitational on Saturday at Lundholm Gymnasium.

New Hampshire nearly captured the first game against Michigan State, but fell in three sets (23-25, 9-25, 15-25). In the 15^th annual Pack the Arena match against Boston College, the set scores were 16-25, 17-25 and 16-25. UNH's record now stands at 6-5 on the season.

Senior outside hitter Tori Forrest (Powder Springs, Ga.) led the Wildcats with seven kills and nine digs in the tilt against MSU. Junior middle blocker Demi Muses (Orangevale, Calif.) set a new career-high in service aces with four while chipping in six kills. Senior defensive specialist Madison Lightfoot (Clarkston, Mich.), who was the lone UNH representative on the All-Tournament Team, patrolled the backcourt with 12 digs. Junior setter Keelin Severtson (Delray Beach, Fla.) piloted the offense, dishing out 12 assists

Senior outside hitter Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) paced the offensive effort in the tournament finale against BC, landing eight kills. Muses tallied six terminations to bolster the offensive effort. Severtson distributed 18 helpers while Lightfoot anchored the backline with 15 digs.

UNH tenaciously fought MSU in the first set as the frame featured nine tie scores and five lead changes. Forrest was a major factor in the frame, registering five kills, five digs and two aces. The two sides traded blows as each side tallied seven points to begin the match. The Spartans landed three kills and an ace to rattle off four straight points to propel ahead 11-7, forcing the Wildcats to huddle. New Hampshire stayed within striking distance midway through the stanza as Michigan State clenched onto its four-point advantage. However, the 'Cats made it a one-point game as Muses ripped a pair of aces followed by a termination from Forrest. The 'Cats clawed back to level the match at the 18 mark, fueled by swings from Forrest and redshirt freshman middle blocker Molly Wotton (Dover, N.H.). New Hampshire carried its momentum as Forrest finessed a pair of aces in the Michigan defense to take a 20-18 lead late in the frame. After a timeout by the visitors, the Spartans knotted the game at the 22 mark as UNH opted to strategize. Michigan State buckled down in the waning moments to capture set one, slamming the door with back-to-back blocks accompanied by a kill.

The Spartans overwhelmed the Wildcat defense in the second stanza, landing 16 kills and hitting at a .484 clip. MSU sparked out to a 12-3 lead out of gate. Muses, who landed three kills in the frame, tried to keep New Hampshire within striking distance of Michigan State. Despite her efforts, Michigan State stretched its advantage to double digits and cruised to a 25-9 win to lead into the intermission.

UNH kept pace with MSU to start the third set, trading the first six exchanges. The Spartans carved out a 12-7 edge in the midst of the stanza as the 'Cats opted to huddle. Senior middle blocker Cassidy Croci (Sylvania, Ohio) and Brinkman tried to jumpstart the offense as the duo combined for five kills in the frame. Michigan State continued to push forward, extending its advantage to 21-11 in search of the sweep. UNH was unable to rally from the deficit as MSU traded points and secured the decisive set.

In the second match against Boston College, the two sides traded blows out of the gate as each side snagged four points apiece. The Eagles were the first to hit the 10-point threshold, owning a 10-7 edge. BC generated a 4-2 scoring flurry to lead 14-9 as UNH burned its first timeout. Brinkman and Muses stopped the Boston College tear with a pair of kills and a combo block, but New Hampshire was staring up at a 20-13 deficit late in the opening set. Sophomore right side/setter Sasha Cucuz (Plymouth, Mich.) slashed kills late, but BC was able to preserve its lead to seize the first frame.

The Eagles and Wildcats were in a back-and-forth battle in set two as the score was knotted at the 12 mark. Boston College was able to create the first sizeable lead in the stanza, stringing together a 5-2 spurt to lead 17-14. Despite a breather from the 'Cats, the Eagles were able to end the second stanza on a 7-3 run to take a 2-0 lead into the locker rooms.

UNH would not back down as the two sides traded the first 20 points as the score stood at 10-10. The Eagles utilized a strong attack to push ahead 16-11 as the Wildcats looked to regroup. Muses and Forrest landed kills to inch the home team within two points at 17-15, but BC mustered a 5-0 run to own a 22-15 advantage late. The 'Cats never stopped fighting, but UNH ran out of room and Boston College claimed the final point to clinch the win the match.

Players that were named to the Holly Young Invitational All Tournament Team consisted of: Rachel Minarick (Michigan State), Megan Tompkins (Michigan State), Alyssa Garvelink (Michigan State), Chandler Bryant (Delaware), Alexa Swann (Delaware), Madisen Lydon (Boston College) and Madison Lightfoot (UNH).

The Wildcats travel south to Harvard University on Tuesday, Sept. 15 (7 p.m.) to resume non-conference play. New Hampshire returns to Durham to initiate its America East title defense against the University of Hartford on Friday, Sept. 25 (7 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) 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 or follow the 'Cats on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @UNHVOLLEYBALL. To sign up for all new text alerts, click HERE or text UNH to 90561.