Volleyball Looks to Snap its Losing Streak at Harvard (Sept. 15; 7 p.m.)

DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire volleyball team is set to travel to Harvard University on Tuesday, Sept. 15 (7 p.m.) for a match with the Crimson at Malkin Athletic Center in Cambridge, Mass.

The State of New Hampshire: UNH lost all three home matches at the yearly Holly Young Invitational this past weekend. To start, the 'Cats had their six-game winning streak snapped against University of Delaware (Sept. 11) in three sets (18-25, 21-25, 13-25). The Wildcats fell the next afternoon to Michigan State University (Sept. 12) in a three set sweep (23-25, 9-25, 15-25). New Hampshire suffered its final defeat against Boston College, in three straight sets, later that night (16-25, 17-25, 16-25).

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.

Scouting Harvard: The Crimson maintain an overall record of 1-5 heading into Tuesday's contest. Most recently, Harvard went winless at the Service Academy Challenge in Arlington, Va. Harvard fell to the University of California (Sept. 11) in the first match Friday afternoon, playing all five sets (25-18, 25-23, 26-28, 18-25, 9-15). Later that night, the Crimson faced Air Force Academy in a 3-0 loss (24-26, 19-25, 23-25). On Saturday, the Ivy League member lost a hard fought match to Army (Sept. 12), playing all 5 sets (3-2; 14-25, 25-19, 17-25, 25-20, 12-15).

Some of the top threats to the Wildcats are junior setter Corinne Bain who contributes about 2.5 kills per set and averages about 6.23 attacks per set. In the game against Air Force, Bain had her second triple-double of the season with 10 kills, 16 assists and 11 blocks. Another threat is sophomore outside hitter Paige Kebe who averages about 2.13 kills per set.

All-Time Series vs. Harvard: The Wildcats square off against the Crimson for the 24th time in the history between the two schools. Harvard holds a 13-10 advantage in the series, which began in 1982. The last time the two teams played (Sept. 24, 2014), the Crimson defeated the Wildcats in four sets. UNH won the previous meeting that took place in 2013 (Sept. 24) in a five set duel.

DEFEND DURHAM: New Hampshire boasts a 23-8 record at Lundholm Gymnasium dating back to the start of the 2013 season. Additionally, the Wildcats are 27-8 when hosting America East teams since 2011.

FIVE-TIME CHAMPS: The Wildcats secured the America East title on their home court for the second straight year after defeating the University at Albany in four sets on Nov. 22, 2014 (25-22, 19-25, 27-25 and 25-13). UNH has won its conference crown five times; all under the tutelage of head coach Jill Hirschinger. Additionally, all five titles of the program's titles have been won at Lundholm Gymnasium.

HIRSCHINGER BY THE NUMBERS: In 36 years as a head coach, Hirschinger is one of just 12 active coaches that have recorded 700 wins or more. She recorded win No. 700 on Sept. 20, 2014 against the University of Rhode Island in a five-set battle. Already the program's winningest coach, Hirschinger earned her 300th career win at UNH when the team captured a four-set win over Binghamton University on Nov. 2, 2014.

Up Next for the Wildcats: UNH travels to Syracuse University for the Big Orange Tournament where they will face host Syracuse, the University at Buffalo and the United States Naval Academy. The 'Cats face the Orange on Sept. 19 at 5 p.m., the Bulls on Sept. 20 at 12:30 p.m. and Navy at 4 p.m. the same day. UNH returns home the following week as it starts America East Conference play against the University of Hartford on Sept. 25 at 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.

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