WESTFIELD, Mass. — The Salve Regina University women's volleyball team came away with two decisive wins on Saturday, clamming a 3-0 victory over Westfield State University and a 3-1 verdict over Eastern Connecticut State University at the Owls tri-match at the Woodward Center.
MATCHUP ONE:
Final: Salve Regina 3, Westfield State 0
Records: Salve Regina (3-8,0-0 NEWMAC), Westfield State (3-7,0-0 MASCAC)
Salve established an offensive rhythm early, recording 14 kills in the opening set while limiting Westfield State to a .086 hitting percentage. The Seahawks maintained composure down the stretch to secure the 25-22 opening-set victory and take the early advantage.
Anouk Jansen (Queen Creek, Ariz.) led the Seahawks with 11 kills and hit .304 on 23 attacks, while Jenna DeFrancesco (Branford, Conn.) added 10 kills with a team-best .381 hitting percentage. Lauren Shurling (Hudson, Mass.) chipped in nine kills and provided a major spark from the service line with a match-high four aces.
MATCHUP TWO:
Final: Salve Regina 3, Eastern Connecticut State 1
Records: Salve Regina (4-8,0-0 NEWMAC), Eastern Connecticut State (6-2,0-0 LEC)
Jansen powered the Seahawks throughout the afternoon, leading all players with 16 kills. DeFrancesco and Shurling added 10 kills apiece, while Frankie Spadorcia (Braintree, Mass.) provided an efficient presence at the net with 10 kills on 17 attacks for a .412 hitting percentage.
Eastern Connecticut State responded in the third set, but Salve continued to attack effectively. The Seahawks produced 13 kills and hit .276 in the frame before the Warriors edged out a 25-22 victory to extend the match. Rather than letting the momentum swing, Salve answered immediately in the fourth. The Seahawks recorded 13 kills while hitting .278, holding off Eastern Connecticut State's late push to secure a 25-22 set victory and close out the four-set win.
ON THE HORIZON:
The Seahawks are back at Rodgers Recreation Center on Tuesday, September 22, at 7 p.m. to host their NEWMAC opener against Clark University.
