BOSTON, Mass. – Senior Jennifer Duggan (Merrimack, N.H.) recorded 11 kills, three aces, and eight digs to help pace the Salve Regina women's volleyball team to a 3-0 win over Wentworth Institute of Technology, 3-0 in a Commonwealth Coast Conference matchup on Saturday.
With the win the Seahawks even their record at 7-7 overall and 1-1 in CCC, while the Leopards fall to 7-8 (1-1 CCC). Salve Regina also extends its series win streak to 11 matches with the victory.
The first set was evenly contested throughout, with both teams exchanging leads early. With the score tied at 21, the Leopards strung together three points, including a block assist from middle hitter Jordan Young (Derry, N.H.) and senior Shannon Ponce (San Jose, Calif.) to take the 24-21 lead. However, Salve Regina was able to hang on thanks to a block assist from junior Emily Lipinski (Hampden, Mass.) and senior Katelyn Beauregard (Dartmouth, Mass.). Duggan's (Merrimack, N.H.) kill captured the first set for Salve Regina, 26-24.
Salve Regina never trailed in the second set, but Wentworth was in it the whole way. The Seahawks put together a six-point run early to take a 13-7 lead before the Leopards pulled close towards the end, shortening the gap to 23-22 but would get no closer as the visitors took a 25-22 win.
Wentworth opened up the third set with a 4-2 lead, However Salve Regina would come back fast and never look back. The Leopards were able to string together long rallies, but the Seahawks won the third and final set 25-12 while on a 12-2 run.
In addition to Duggan's 11 kills and eight digs, sophomore Kat Mendes (New Bedford, Mass.) had seven kills, two aces, and 14 digs, Lipinski and senior Erin McGloin (West Islip, N.Y.) recorded six kills apiece with Lipinski also chipping in with four blocks. Senior Taylor Violet (Tiverton, R.I.) had 32 assists in the win for the Seahawks.
Young led Wentworth's offense with six kills while freshman Kayla Gendreau (Hudson, N.H.) had three kills and three blocks. Ponce had 18 assists and eight digs and sophomore Amanda Hunton (Monroe, N.Y.) served a pair of aces to go along with 11 digs.
Both teams will resume continue conference play on Tuesday night, as Wentworth will host Eastern Nazarene and Salve Regina hosts Curry.
