Smith's Double-Double & Olhava's 16 Kills Lead 'Cats Past UMBC, 3-0

Friday, October 5

Baltimore, MD

7 PM

University of New Hampshire

7-11, 3-1AEC

University of Maryland Baltimore County

4-13, 0-3AEC

New Hampshire

UMBC

Smith's Double-Double & Olhava's 16 Kills Lead 'Cats Past UMBC, 3-0

10/5/2018 9:57:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

BALTIMORE – Kennedi Smith (The Woodlands, Texas) recorded a double-double and Gabri Olhava (Mount Prospect, Ill.) had a match-high 16 kills to lead the University of New Hampshire volleyball team to a 3-0 victory against UMBC in Friday night's America East matchup at the UMBC Events Center.

The set scores were 25-23, 28-26, 25-23 as the Wildcats improved to 7-11 overall and 3-1 in America East. UMBC is now 4-13, 0-3. There were a total of 22 tie scores and nine lead changes in three sets.

Smith finished with 11 kills and 15 digs for her team-leading eighth double-double of the season. Olhava tallied 16 kills and just two errors for a .389 hitting percentage; she also had a match-high five blocks.

Hannah Petke (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) recorded 10 kills, a .400 hitting percentage and three blocks. Emily Tanski (Plymouth, Mich.) had a team-high 19 digs. Emma Patlovich (Lake Forest, Ill.; 26 assists) and Mali Jereczek (Green Bay, Wis.; 13 assists) combined to lead UNH to a .213 hitting percentage.

Paola Rojas (13 kills, five blocks), Paige Krenik (12 kills) and Carmen Freeman (10 kills) paced UMBC's attack. Kristin Watson tallied a match-high 23 digs.

Up Next: Oct. 7 at Binghamton, 3 pm
Next Home Game: Oct. 14 vs. Albany, 7pm ESPN 3

Purchase tickets for all home UNH volleyball matches online at unhwildcats.com, by calling (603) 863-4000 or at the box office.

Shop UNH: Check out UNHShop.com for the latest in official UNH Wildcats' merchandise.

SET 1

There were five ties and one lead change in the first set.
UMBC held three early two points leads (2-0, 4-2, 7-5) before the Wildcats reeled off five consecutive points to take a 10-7 lead they would not relinquish.
Three consecutive blocks ignited the run. Alexa Markman (Chicago, Ill.) combined with Molly Wotton (Dover, N.H.) on the first block and then Petke on the next two.
UNH led 11-8 when the Retrievers called time out. The teams exchanged points to pus the score to 18-14 in favor of the 'Cats.
UMBC rallied to tie the score at 21, but then a kill by Olhava and combined block by Olhava and Petke gave UNH a two-point lead.
The home team called a timeout and won the next point, but then a service error gave set point to New Hampshire at 24-22.
The Retrievers fended off one set point, but then Petke put the set away with a kill.

SET 2

There were 13 ties and five lead changes in the marathon second set.
UMBC raced out to an early 4-0 lead, but the Wildcats responded with a pair of 3-0 runs to take a 7-6 lead.
The Retrievers surged ahead, 11-8, and held a four-point lead of 15-11 before the 'Cats rallied within one 15-14. A combined block by Wotton and Olhava, followed by Wotton's kill, fueled the spurt.
Trailing 18-17, UNH called time out and went on a 4-1 run – Petke recorded a kill and service ace – to regain the lead, 21-19, and prompt a timeout by the home team.
UMBC won the next two points out of the break to deadlock the score, but then the 'Cats won two of the next three points to take a 23-22 lead for the second consecutive set.
The Retrievers fended off three set points but, with the score tied at 26, they committed back-to-back attack errors to lose Set 2, 28-26.

SET 3

There were four ties and three lead changes in the third set.
UNH utilized runs of 3-0 and 4-0 to build an early 7-2 lead. Consecutive kills by Olhava and another by Wotton fueled the second spurt.
The Wildcats extended the margin to eight points, 13-5, before UMBC recorded an improbable comeback.
Trailing 20-15, the home team won three consecutive points to trim the deficit to two points and prompt a UNH timeout.
Out of the break, UMBC won 3 of 4 points to tie the score at 21. The Retrievers continued to surge and took a 23-22 lead, forcing the 'Cats to call their last timeout of the set.
Wotton's kill stopped momentum and leveled the score at 23, then a UMBC attack error gave set and match point to New Hampshire. Petke once again closed the set with a kill.

UNH NOTEBOOK

New Hampshire has a 22-10 lifetime record against UMBC and has won 13 of the last 14 matchups.
All three of UNH's in America East action have been in straight sets.
Olhava has recorded double-digit kills in 14 of 18 matches this season, including each of the last three.
Smith has tallied double-digit digs in 13 of 18 matches.

For the most up-to-date information on the volleyball team, visit UNHWildcats.com. For additional information on the UNH volleyball team, like the squad on Facebook or follow the 'Cats on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @UNHVOLLEYBALL.