Southern Maine Downs UNE 3-0

            GORHAM, Maine -- Paced by double-doubles from senior Megan Nilson (Granby, Conn.) and junior Jess Williamson (Goffstown, N.H.), the University of Southern Maine women's volleyball defeated the University of New England 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-18) in non-conference play Wednesday evening at the Warren Hill Gymnasium.

            The win was the fourth straight for the Huskies and improved their overall record to 4-1.  The Nor'easters slip to 1-2 overall.  The two sides will meet again October 8th during a tri-match at UNE.

            Southern Maine had to come from behind in each of the first two sets to take a 2-0 lead in the match.  The decisive third set was back and forth until USM pulled away in the latter stages.

            Nilson posted her second double-double of the season passing out 18 assists and digging up 11 balls.  Williamson swung for 14 kills and had 11 digs for her third double-double in four matches.  Williamson also served up a match-high four aces.

            Freshman Jenna Graves (Corinth, Texas/Lake Dallas) led all players with 14 digs.  Sophomore Nicole Schmitz (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham) had a strong all-around match compiling 13 assists, three kills, three service aces and six digs.

            Senior Erika Sawicki (Wilbraham, Mass./Minnechaug Regional) led the Nor'easters with 11 kills on 24 attacks.  Classmate Grayson Szczepaniak (Lakewood, Ohio/Saint Joseph Academy) added seven kills, and sophomore Rene Roggenbuck (Goffstown, N.H.) chipped in with six kills, a solo block and three block assists.

            Junior Kristen Falcinelli (Silver Springs, Md./Academy of the Holy Cross) dished out 24 assists and had eight digs for UNE.

            Southern Maine is back in action on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) for a tri-match at Framingham State University.  UNE will play in the Vassar College Invitational this Friday (6:00 p.m.) and Saturday (11:00 a.m.).

-ble-