Women's Volleyball Rallies From Two Sets Down to Defeat Southern Maine

BOSTON, Mass. – After dropping the first two sets of the match and with little margin for error, The Wentworth Institute of Technology women's volleyball team rallied from a two sets to zero deficit to defeat the University of Southern Maine 3-2 Wednesday evening.

RECORDS

• Southern Maine (2-6)
• Wentworth (7-3)

WENTWORTH STAT LEADERS:

• Kills – Helen Barthe, 10; Ashley Cao, 9; Shelby Seage, 9; Riley Waggoner, 9; Devin Neal, 9
• Assists – Ashley Cao, 21; Jordan Chapman, 15; Lexi Zabloudil, 11
• Aces – Ashley Cao, 6; Megan Davies, 4
• Digs – Ema Thompson, 16; Shelby Seage, 13; Megan Davies, 12, Ashley Cao, 9
• Blocks – Devin Neal, 3; Riley Waggoner, 2; Helen Barthe, 2

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Leopards got off to a rocky start, as USM was able to grab hold of the first set early. The Huskies won the first five points of the match and were able to build on it, jumping out to a 17-6 lead in the opening set. Wentworth was able to narrow the gap, winning four of the next six points. Following four straight points by the visitors to get them to a 24-12 lead, the Leopards ran off seven consecutive points to get within striking distance. But Southern Maine was able to hold off the late push, getting the final point to win a 25-19 decision in set one.
• The second set started similarly, with the Huskies once again building a lead early as they took a 10-4 lead. Wentworth was able to string together a few points, but USM answered with a strong rally. The visitors put together an 8-3 run to take a nine point lead, and followed by another late surge by the Leopards in which they cut the lead to two, Southern Maine was able to close out the set with a 25-21 victory.
• The teams battled closely early in the third set, trading points back and forth with neither team able to build a significant lead. After the Huskies pulled within two points, Wentworth won three of the next four points to take a 23-18 lead and were able to pull out a 25-23 victory to get back in the match.
• The two teams traded rallies throughout the fourth set, as both squads built leads only to see the other answer with a run of their own. With the Leopards holding a one point lead late in the set, the home team put together a stretch of four points out of five, taking a 20-16 lead. After taking a 24-18 lead, USM answered back. Southern Maine won five straight points to get within one, but Wentworth once again held off the visitors, winning 25-23 once again to force a fifth and final set.
• The Leopards came out strong in the fifth, grabbing a 6-3 advantage. The two teams then traded points, and after the Huskies closed the gap to 10-8, the home team ran off three straight points to come within two points of victory. Wentworth then closed it out with the final two points, picking up a 15-10 win in the final set and completing the comeback after being down 2-0 in the match.

THE SERIES:

• Tonight was the 3^rd ever meeting between the two programs, with Wentworth holding a 3-0 series lead.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth now hosts a tri-match Saturday, first squaring off with Lasell University at 11 a.m., then taking on Worcester State University at 3 p.m.

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