Southern Maine Splits Tri-Match at Framingham State

            FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- The University of Southern Maine women's volleyball team split a pair of non-conference matches Saturday afternoon defeating the Newbury College Nighthawks 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-10) before falling to the host Framingham State University Rams 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-18).

            The Huskies' win over Newbury extended their winning streak to five before the Rams snapped it.  Southern Maine is now 5-2 overall on the season.  Framingham State defeated Newbury 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-19) in the opening match of the day to pick up its first two wins of the season after four losses.  Newbury falls to 0-3 on the season.

Southern Maine vs. Newbury

            Junior outside hitter Jess Williamson (Goffstown, N.H.) led a strong attack swinging for 16 kills on 30 attacks (.400 attack percentage, 16-4-30) as the Huskies combined for a .275 team attack percentage.  Williamson also had 10 digs to earn her fourth double-double of the season.

            Senior setter Megan Nilson (Granby, Conn.) had another double-double putting up 17 assists and digging 13 balls.  Sophomore Nicole Schmitz (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham) added five kills, 11 assists and four digs.  Rookie Jenna Graves (Corinth, Texas/Lake Dallas) led all players with 18 digs.

            Senior Courtney Banks (Corona, Calif.) led the Nighthawks with seven kills.  Junior Kataya Sykes (Brockton, Mass.) had six kills without an error on 13 attacks, and sophomore Marlen Reynoso (Springdale, Ark.) had 15 assists and eight digs. 

Southern Maine vs. Framingham State

            The Rams stopped the Huskies' five-match winning streak with their straight-sets win.  Senior Alycia Rackliffe (Feeding Hills, Mass.) led the Rams with 10 kills, eight digs five blocks and two service aces.  Senior Julia Wan (South Deerfield, Mass.) chipped in with six kills and seven digs, and rookie Deirdre Fay (Cornwall, N.Y.) contributed five kills and a team-high 10 digs.  Junior Sarah Leonard (Southborough, Mass.) quarterbacked the offense passing out 23 assists.

            Williamson led the Huskies with seven kills and dug up nine balls.  Nilson added 17 assists and 11 digs for another double-double, and Schmitz had five kills, nine assists and seven digs.  Rookie Taylor Ziska (Loveland, Colo.) shared match-high honors with Nilson digging up 11 balls. 

Up Next

            The Huskies will be at home on Wednesday night (7:00 p.m.) when they entertain Bates College at the Warren Hill Gymnasium.

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