CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Salve Regina University women's volleyball team battled one of the nation's top teams Tuesday evening, pushing No. 5 MIT in the opening set before falling 3-0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-17) at Rockwell Cage.
The Seahawks came out with energy against the nationally ranked Engineers, staying within striking distance throughout the opening frame. Salve put together 10 kills in the first set and kept the margin tight before MIT ultimately claimed the 25-23 decision. The Seahawks continued to compete throughout the match, finishing with 26 kills and 33 digs against an MIT squad that entered the night 12-1 overall.
Anouk Jansen paced the Salve attack with a team-high nine kills, while Frankie Spadorcia delivered an efficient performance with five kills on 10 attacks, hitting .400 for the match. Abby McRoy added four kills on eight attempts while hitting .375, giving the Seahawks another strong offensive presence at the net. Jenna DeFrancesco also contributed four kills.
Salve's setting combination of Kalena Stavish and Kate Andy helped keep the offense moving throughout the match. Stavish finished with a team-best 12 assists, while Andy added nine assists. Stavish also chipped in six digs, while Andy contributed an ace and three digs.
Madelyn Homer led Salve with nine digs, followed by Lily Dobbins with seven and Stavish with six. Salve finished with 33 digs overall, just three fewer than MIT's 36.
McRoy also made her presence felt from the service line and at the net, recording two aces and two block assists. DeFrancesco added two block assists, while Jansen contributed another. Salve totaled seven service aces and three blocks as a team.
The second set saw MIT establish separation, but the Seahawks continued to battle, producing eight kills in the frame. Salve responded in the third with another eight-kill effort.
ON THE HORIZON:
Women's volleyball will be on the road on Friday, October 9, to take on Massachusetts Maritime Academy at 7 p.m.
