Nilson Becomes Career Assists Leader

            GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine women's volleyball finished its 2016 regular season schedule Saturday splitting a tri-match at the Warren Hill Gymnasium.  The Huskies dropped a hard-fought 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 27-25, 25-20) decision to Little East Conference foe Western Connecticut State University, and later returned to the court to defeat Unity College 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-6) in a non-conference match.

            Western Connecticut also defeated Unity 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-10) to sweep its two matches lifting its record to 19-10 overall and 4-3 in the Little East Conference.  Southern Maine finished the regular season 16-13 overall and 2-5 in the conference.  Unity concludes its season 15-10 overall.

            Highlighting the Senior Day afternoon for Southern Maine was senior Megan Nilson (Granby, Conn.) becoming the career assists leader, now with 2,765, surpassing Mandy Dessert's (2001-04) mark of 2,745.  Nilson and junior Jess Williamson (Goffstown, N.H.) also reached the 1,000-career digs plateau during the course of the day's action.

            In the opening match against Western Connecticut, the Huskies rebounded from a slow start to take the first set.  The Colonials turned the tables on the Huskies in the next two sets to go up 2-1, then pulled away in the final set for the victory.

            Williamson led the Huskies with another double-double knocking down 16 kills and digging up 13 balls.  Nilson had 24 assists and none digs while sophomore Nicole Schmitz (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham) passed out 17 assists.  Freshman Alayna McNally (Marlton, N.J.) had 14 kills and junior Robbi Termentozzi (Littleton, Colo./Central) had eight to complement Williamson in the attack.  Rookie libero Jenna Graves (Corinth, Texas) led all players with 18 digs.

            Seniors Karissa Smith (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Eastern) and Danielle Kaminsky (Southington, Conn.) had double-doubles for the Colonials.  Smith led all players with 20 kills and 13 digs while Kaminsky orchestrated the attack passing out 43 assists and digging up 14 balls.  Sophomore libero Jenna Pisano (Orange, Conn./Amity Regional) had 17 digs on the back line.

            The Huskies cruised past the Rams in the final match as Williamson added 13 kills and seven digs to her season totals.  Nilson dished out another 16 assists and also had seven digs.  Junior Mo Raymond (Sanbornton, N.H./Winnisquam) contributed six kills and seven service aces.

            Junior Jacklyn Collins (Rifle, Colo.) led the Rams with four kills, and sophomore Emily MacDonald (Brockton, Mass.) chipped in with three kills.  Junior Mikayla Twiss (Lakeville, Minn.) had six assists, and Collins led the Rams with seven digs.

            Southern Maine will be the sixth seed in the upcoming Little East Conference tournament facing a familiar foe, third seeded Western Connecticut, on Tuesday.  Game time is to be announced. 

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