GORHAM, Maine -- Freshman outside hitter Jessica Williamson (Goffstown, N.H.) had a match-high 18 kills as the University of Southern Maine women's volleyball team fended off visiting Regis College 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-21) in a non-conference match Thursday evening at the Warren Hill Gymnasium.

            The win improved the Huskies' overall record to 9-2 heading into their Little East Conference opener on Saturday at Eastern Connecticut State University.  The Pride dropped to 9-6 overall.

            The match was punctuated with many long rallies.  USM got off to a quick start in the opening set and managed to hold a slim lead throughout.  In the middle set, the Huskies jumped out to a 10-2 advantage only to see the lead evaporate as the Pride tallied eight consecutive points behind the serving of rookie middle blocker Nicole Connolly (San Mateo, Calif.).  The Huskies regrouped to snap the sting of Pride points and stayed ahead the rest of the set.  The third set was another hard-fought set with the home side maintaining another slim lead through most of the set.

            Williamson, a three-time LEC and ECAC Division III New England Rookie of the Week honoree this season, had a .234 attack percentage (18-7-47) and six digs in the match.  Her 47 attacks is a new school record for most attacks in a three-set match, breaking the old mark of 41 set by Shannon Stoll in 2006.

            Sophomore setter Megan Nilson (Granby, Conn.) quarterbacked the Huskies offense with 26 assists.  Junior outside hitter Renee Trottier (Biddeford, Maine) had a match-high 12 digs and three kills while junior middle hitter Jessica Garrett (Las Vegas, Nev.) had three kills and served up three aces.

            For the Pride, Connolly led the offense with nine kills and a .529 attack percentage (9-0-17).  Freshman Sydney Trusty (Durham, Conn.) had eight kills and dug up eight balls.  Rookie setter Crystina Lathrop (Houston, Texas) had 25 assists and a team-high 10 digs.  Sophomore right side Kristina del Rey (Miami, Fla.) and rookie outside hitter Emily DeBarros (Brockton, Mass.) had five kills apiece.

            Southern Maine will play Eastern Connecticut (12:00 p.m.) in its LEC opener and a non-conference match against Lasell College (2:00 p.m.) at ECSU on Saturday.  Regis will play in a tri-match on Saturday at Simmons College (10:00 a.m.) along with Framingham State University (12:00 pm.). 

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