NEWPORT, R.I. — The Salve Regina University women's volleyball team opened strong against U.S. Coast Guard Academy on Tuesday evening, claiming the first set before the Bears rallied to take the next three and secure a 3-1 victory at Rodgers Recreation Center.
The Seahawks fell 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-22, showcasing a competitive effort against a strong NEWMAC opponent.
Salve Regina set the tone early, using an efficient offensive performance to capture the opening set, 25-23. Anouk Jansen led the Seahawks with four kills in the frame as Salve capitalized on its opportunities to take the early advantage.
Coast Guard responded in the second set, using a stronger offensive rhythm to even the match with a 25-21 win. The Bears continued to apply pressure in the third set, while Salve worked to find consistency offensively. Coast Guard ultimately secured another 25-21 decision to take a 2-1 lead.
The Seahawks continued to battle in the fourth set, matching the Bears with 13 kills apiece. Salve recorded just one attack error in the frame and finished with a .250 hitting percentage, but Coast Guard edged ahead to close out the match, 25-22.
Jansen paced the Salve Regina attack with 13 kills, while Lauren Shurling added 12 and Jenna DeFrancesco contributed 11. The trio combined for 36 of the Seahawks' 46 kills.
At the net, DeFrancesco delivered a standout defensive performance with six blocks, while Cecelia Bronson added three. Salve finished with eight total blocks, outpacing Coast Guard's six.
Kalena Stavish orchestrated the offense with 37 assists, helping the Seahawks maintain their attack throughout the four-set contest. Defensively, Madelyn Homer recorded a team-high 25 digs, followed by Stavish with 16 and Kirra Baker with nine.
From the service line, Bronson and Gracy Spirito each recorded two aces as Salve matched Coast Guard with five service aces.
ON THE HORIZON:
Salve Regina will host Mount Holyoke College in a NEWMAC match on Sunday, October 25, at 2 p.m. at Rodgers Recreation Center.
