USM Splits Tri-Match At Eastern Connecticut

            WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- Freshman Jessica Williamson (Goffstown, N.H.) had a match-high 23 kills as the University of Southern Maine volleyball swept past Lasell College 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 26-24) Saturday afternoon to give the Huskies a split of their tri-match at Eastern Connecticut State University's Geissler Gymnasium.  The Huskies opened the day dropping a 3-1 Little East Conference decision (15-25, 21-25, 25-21, 14-25) to Eastern Connecticut.

            The split leaves the Huskies at 10-3 overall.  Eastern Connecticut, which swept past Lasell in the final match, improved to 7-6.  Lasell dropped to 2-13.  The USM-ECSU match was the Little East Conference opener for both teams.

            Williamson had a .314 attack percentage, two service aces and 12 digs against Lasell.  Freshman Monica Raymond (Sanbornton, N.H./Winnisquam) added six kills, and junior Renee Trottier (Biddeford, Maine) had four kills, two service aces and 19 digs.  Sophomore setter Megan Nilson (Granby, Conn.) dished out 26 assists.  Junior libero Demi Ruder (Grand Junction, Colo.) dug up 18 balls.

            Freshman Odina Ellis (Providence, R.I.) led the Lasers with eight kills and had four blocks, Senior Kathy Cameron (Boston, Mass.) swung for seven kills, and junior Heather Longley (North Granby, Conn.) added six kills and four blocks.  Freshman setter Taylor Tiezzi (Meriden, Conn./Platt) had 24 assists and 11 digs, and rookie Caitlyn Garcia (Moreno Valley, Calif.) dug up 17 balls.

            In the opening match against Eastern Connecticut, the Huskies fell behind 2-0 before taking a 25-21 decision in the third set.   The Warriors regrouped to take the fourth set (25-14), and the match.  Williamson had 11 kills and a team-high 23 digs.  Nilson quarterbacked the offense with 20 assists, and Trottier and Ruder each had 17 digs.

            Sophomore outside hitter Adrianna Mihalek (Woodbury, Conn.), last season's LEC Rookie of the Year, had 17 kills and 14 digs for the Warriors.  Sophomore Kay Mullen (Fairhaven, Mass.) chipped in 11 kills.  Senior Allie Henry (Middletown, Conn.) and rookie Sarah Leonard (Southborough, Mass./Algonquin Regional) combined for 49 assists.

            Southern Maine will be back on the court on Thursday (7:00 p.m.) traveling to Rivier College for a non-conference match.  Eastern Connecticut is off until next Saturday when it plays a tri-match at Keene State College along with Bowdoin College.  Lasell will host Plymouth State University on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.) in a non-conference match. 

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