Women’s Volleyball Splits Tri-Match Action with Becker College, Wentworth Institute of Technology

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College women's volleyball team earned a 3-0 (25-14, 27-25, 25-22) victory over New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) rival Becker College and suffered a 3-1 (25-11, 15-25, 25-18, 25-23) loss to Wentworth Institute of Technology in Saturday afternoon's tri-match at Picknelly Arena.

With the split Elms improves to 5-13 overall, 1-2 in NECC action. The Leopards (11-6) added a 3-0 win over Becker (2-14, 0-3 NECC) by scores of 25-11, 25-12 and 25-19.

Elms 3, Becker 0

Against Becker, Elms' sophomore setter Shannon Bolton (Shelton, Conn.) dished out 31 assists and the Blazers used 10 kills each from junior middle hitter JC Pickett (Chicopee, Mass.) and Christine Searles (Tolland, Mass.) and eight kills from sophomore outside hitter Alexandra Mack (Wilbraham, Mass.).

Junior libero Caitlyn Larvey (Greenfield, Mass.) dug 19 balls and Pickett added six service aces in the win. Sophomore middle hitter Joanna Krupa (Chicopee, Mass.) added three solo blocks in the win.

Becker was led by Marissa Turner (Coventry, R.I.) and Bethany Stone (Norwich, Conn.) who floored five kills each, while Lauren LaVallee (Millbury, Mass.) dished out seven helpers. Katelyn Burns (Fall River, Mass.) and Kayla Prior (Swansea, Mass.) finished with 12 and 10 digs respectively.

Wentworth 3, Elms 1

Pickett struck for a match-high 12 kills against Wentworth, Searles added nine kills and Larvey led all players with 19 digs. Bolton handed out 20 assists and served up five aces, while Mack and Larvey finished with three service aces each in the losing effort.

Shannon Ponce (San Jose, Calif.) distributed 28 assists and Jordan Young (Derry, N.H.) registered 11 kills to help lead the Leopards in their 3-1 win. Hannah Bailey (Plymouth, Mass.) followed with eight kills and Stephanie Nihan (Dracut, Mass.) added seven kills.

Sam Curran (Quincy, Mass.) dug 15 balls and Amanda Hunton (Monroe, N.Y.), Bailey and Ponce followed with 12, 11 and 10 digs each. Young chipped in six service aces.

Wentworth 3, Becker 0

Sheena Dignean (Constantia, N.Y.) paved the way for Wentworth against Becker with a match-best 13 kills and Mary Horgan (Mahwah, N.J.) was second with seven kills in the 3-0 sweep. Ponce directed the Leopards with to a .259 hitting percentage with 30 assists and Hunton and Erin Patterson (Roseville, Calif.) contributed four and three aces respectively.

Turner led the Hawks with four kills, LaVallee dished out 13 assists, and Burns had 14 digs in the loss for the Hawks.

Elms returns to NECC action on Wednesday, October 9 at Regis College at 7:00 p.m.