Women's Volleyball Sweeps Nor'Easters to Open Conference Play

BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore Helen Barthe (Blythewood, S.C.) recorded eight kills to help pace the Wentworth Institute of Technology women's volleyball team to a 3-0 win over the University of New England in the Commonwealth Coast Conference opener for both teams.

RECORDS:

• University of New England (1-8, 0-1 CCC)
• Wentworth (7-4, 1-0 CCC)

WENTWORTH STAT LEADERS:

• Kills – Helen Barthe, 8; Riley Waggoner, 7; Ashley Cao, 6; Viviann Goulet, 6
• Assists – Lexi Zabloudil, 15; Ashley Cao, 8
• Aces – Ashley Cao, 3; Ema Thompson, 3; Lexi Zabloudil, 2; Peyton Tague, 2
• Digs – Ashley Cao, 14; Ema Thompson, 11; Peyton Tague, 10
• Blocks – Ashley Cao, 3; Riley Schoonmaker, 3; Viviann Goulet, 3

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The University of New England held three-point leads on three occasions, including at 10-7 before Wentworth used an 8-1 run and took a 15-11 lead after a Nor'easter attack error. Two UNE points of Leopard errors made it 15-13, however, Wentworth scored the next three points to extend the lead. After a service ace made it 18-15, the Black & Gold scored four of the next five points and led, 22-16. The Nor'Easters used a 6-1 run to come within one at 23-22 before a kill from senior Viviann Goulet (North Kingston, R.I.) gave Wentworth set point at 24-22. An attack error pulled UNE back within one but the Leopards took set one, 25-23, after sophomore Ashley Cao (Morrisville, N.C.) put down a kill.
• A tightly contested second set saw UNE take an 8-7 lead before the hosts use a 6-2 spurt and take a 13-10 lead after a kill from Goulet. The Nor'Easters battled back to tie the set at 15-all and took a 17-16 lead. Seven straight points, capped off by a block from Goulet and freshman Riley Schoonmaker (Montgomery, N.Y.) made it 23-17. UNE scored the next two points but a kill from sophomore Helen Barthe (Blythewood, S.C.) and a UNE ball handling error gave Wentworth a 2-0 lead with a 25-19 win.
• Wentworth opened the third set scoring the first four points, however, UNE used a 6-1 run to take a 6-5 lead. The Leopards bounced back and took a 13-8 lead after an ace from sophomore Lexi Zabloudil (London, Ohio). Leading 17-12, the Black & Gold used an 8-1 run to close out the match, with senior Peyton Tague (The Woodlands, Texas) serving back-to-back aces for the 25-13 win.

THE SERIES:

• Tonight was the 30th all-time meeting between the two programs. UNE holds a 20-10 lead, however, Wentworth has won the last seven meetings.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth is at Regis Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

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