GORHAM, ME – Powered by another double-double by sophomore outside hitter Brianna Delloiacono (Moodus, CT), the University of Southern Maine volleyball program swept through the Saint Joseph's College of Maine for the second time this season on Tuesday evening. The victory, the second straight for the Huskies sends them to 7-10 overall while the Monks skid to 5-11 on the season.
 
When and Where: Tuesday, October 5, 2021 – University of Southern Maine – Warren G. Hill Gymnasium
 
Score: Huskies 3, Monks 0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-14)

Husky Highlight:


 
History: This was the 80th meeting between the two programs. The Huskies are 50-30 against the Monks in the series and earned a 3-0 sweep of SJC back on Saturday, September 4, 2021.
 
Standout Huskies: Brianna Delloiacono: game-high 14 kills and 12 digs, three assists, and two blocks; freshman middle hitter Madison Zimmer (Regina, SK, Canada): seven kills, .750 hitting%, three total blocks. 
 
Standout Monk: Hanna Webster: six kills, .267 hitting%, three total blocks, one dig, one ace. 
 
How It Happened: 
 
- Saint Joseph's jumped in front 8-2 in the early stages of the first set using a Sierra Burns ace to build a big edge. The Huskies immediately went on a 13-2 scoring spurt to push ahead 15-10 getting three kills from freshman outside hitter Alizia Lagando (Huron, OH) during the binge. Another Burns ace late in the set off the arm of Lagando put the Monks down one, 19-18 and Hanna Webster eventually evened the margin at 23-23, but a senior setter Sophie Lindsay (Sierra Madre, CA) skip set kill coupled with a Zimmer mash wrapped up the closest set of the match.
 
- Trailing 10-8 in the second set USM exploded outproducing their opponent 9-1 in the middle portion of the set to move in the driver's seat 17-11 when Zimmer converted a freeball kill. The Husky advantage increased to eight late, 23-15 when Lagando and Zimmer skied up for a dual block at the pin. A Monk attack error gave the Huskies a 2-0 set lead. 
 
- The third set was all USM early when they grew their advantage to 16-5. Holding a 17-6 lead, the Monks would not go down quietly as they put together six straight to cut their deficit to 17-12 with Sarah Hotchkiss serving. The Huskies responded with six in a row to regain the 11 point lead and complete the sweep.
 
Inside The Box Score: 
 
- Brianna Delloiacono recorded her third double-double of the season and second over the past two games. 
- Madison Zimmer set a new personal best with her seven kills and a .750 hitting percentage.
- Sophie Lindsay doled out 30+ assists for the fifth time this season.
- The Huskies' 12 total blocks were the most in a match this season.
 
Up Next: The navy and gold head out on the road Saturday for a tri-match hosted by Smith College in Northampton, MA. The Huskies will duel Framingham State University at 2:00 p.m. before they take on the host Pioneers at 4:00 p.m.
 
Southern Maine Athletics has gone to fully digital game programs, please click this link to access the game programs to future Husky home events!