NEWPORT, R.I. —  The Salve Regina University women's volleyball team pushed Worcester Polytechnic Institute to five sets before falling 3-2 (17-25, 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 13-15) at Rodgers Recreation Center to close out the 2026 season.
Salve Regina celebrated senior day by honoring Madelyn Homer, Kate Andy, Lily Dobbins, Cecelia Bronson and Emma Cate.
WPI claimed the opening set, 25-17, but Salve responded with an impressive second-set performance. Behind a balanced offensive attack, the Seahawks collected 17 kills and hit .326 to earn a 25-23 victory and even the match at one set apiece.
Salve carried that momentum into the third set, recorded 14 kills while committing just one attack error, hitting an impressive .406 to take the set 25-20 and move ahead 2-1.
WPI answered in the fourth set, overcoming Salve's 15 kills to claim a 25-23 decision and force a decisive fifth set.
In the final frame, the Seahawks continued to battle, keeping the contest close before WPI secured a narrow 15-13 victory to take the match.
Anouk Jansen led the Salve offense with a career-high 26 kills, hitting .345 while adding four digs. Lauren Shurling contributed 13 kills and 13.5 points, while Jenna DeFrancesco added 11 kills and four digs.
Kalena Stavish orchestrated the offense with 31 assists, while Kate Andy chipped in 20 assists. Madelyn Homer anchored the defensive effort with a team-high 15 digs, and Cecelia Bronson led the Seahawks with three service aces.
At the net, Frankie Spadorcia contributed nine kills while hitting .500 and added two block assists. Sydney Hanlon also recorded two blocks, helping Salve finish with three total team blocks.
The Seahawks finished ahead of WPI in several offensive categories, including kills (65-60), assists (61-55) and total points (74-70), highlighting Salve's ability to compete throughout the five-set battle.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Worcester Polytechnic Institute 3, Salve Regina 2
Records: Salve Regina (8-16,2-7Â NEWMAC), Worcester Polytechnic Institute (12-14,5-6Â NEWMAC)
ON THE HORIZON:
Women's volleyball completes their season with an overall record of 8-16 and a NEWMAC record of 2-7. The Seahawks will return for the 2027 fall season.
