Southern Maine Opens Season Downing St. Joseph's 3-0

            GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine women's volleyball team opened its 2017 season with a 3-0 victory (25-20, 25-12, 25-20) over the Saint Joseph's College Monks in a non-conference match Friday evening at the Warren Hill Gymnasium.

            In the second match of the night, Maine Maritime Academy came from behind to defeat the University of New England 3-2 (22-25, 25-18, 13-25, 25-18, 15-11).  The four teams will resume their season-opening round-robin event on Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

            Senior co-captain Jess Williamson (Goffstown, N.H.) paced USM to its victory over Saint Joseph's posting a double-double.  The three-time All-Little East Conference outside hitter had 14 kills and 13 digs.  Junior co-captain Nicole Schmitz (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham) directed the offense dishing out 27 assists.  USM served up 14 aces during the three sets led by rookie Jamie Jannarone (Windham, Maine) with five.  Senior libero Mariah Garcia (Brighton, Colo./Central) contributed four aces and had seven digs.

            For the Monks, sophomore Kelsey Bickford (Somersworth, N.H.) had seven kills and three digs.  Junior Sarah Dyer (Seabrook, N.H./Winnacunnet) passed out 21 assists and had five digs.  Junior Jennelle Thompson (Farmington, N.H.) had 13 digs to tie Williamson for match-high honors.

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