BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Julie Rahilly (Nashua, N.H.) had seven kills and senior Julie Bruton (Montgomery, Texas) added five kills and 13 digs to help the Wentworth women's volleyball team earn its first-ever victory over Gordon as the Leopards swept the Fighting Scots, 3-0, in Commonwealth Coast Conference play.
Wentworth, which had been 0-14 lifetime against Gordon, rallied from an early, 3-0 deficit in the opening set to tie the game at 6-all and would eventually lead, 12-9, before the Fighting Scots used three straight points to even the score at 12-all. The Leopards would score four of the next five points to jump ahead 16-13. After Gordon cut the lead to just one (16-15), the hosts went on a 5-0 run to claim a 21-16 lead. The Fighting Scots cut the lead to 23-21, but two straight Wentworth points closed out the set.
After the second set saw six ties in the early going, Wentworth scored six straight points to take a 14-8 lead. The Fighting Scots battled back to pull within two on two occasions, including at 15-13, but the Leopards went on a 10-1 run to close out the set and take a 2-0 advantage.
Gordon raced out to a 7-2 lead to open the third set, forcing Wentworth to use a timeout. Out of the timeout the Leopards went on a 7-1 run to take a 9-8 lead and forced the Fighting Scots to re-group, which led to six straight points from the visitors. Gordon increased its lead to 17-12 and then 20-14 before the Leopards outlasted the Fighting Scots with an 11-2 run.
Sophomore Michelle Hobbs (Northwood, N.H.) had four kills and five digs, while freshman Sam Curran (Quincy, Mass.) added 10 digs. Freshman Shannon Ponce (San Jose, Calif.) chipped in with 14 assists and seven digs.
Gordon was led by junior Alex Nawoichik (Hamilton, Mass.) and sophomore Chelsie Clemens (Santa Barbara, Calif.), who each recorded five kills. Nawoichik and junior Kate Williams (Jennerstown, Pa.) each recorded five blocks, with junior Keri Hustus (Eastford, Conn.) and sophomore Lauren Kranyak (Locust Grove, Va.) each adding 11 digs. Senior Andrea Amado (Glastonbury, Conn.) had 19 assists.
With the win Wentworth improves to 6-7 overall and 1-0 in CCC play. The Leopards host Daniel Webster on Thursday. Gordon drops its second straight to fall to 7-4 (0-2). The Fighting Scots are at Green Mountain on Saturday to face Breen Mountain and St. Joseph's of Brooklyn.
