GORHAM, ME – One day after dropping their season opener in a five-set thriller the University of Southern Maine volleyball team found themselves in another five-set match against the University of New England. This time however the Huskies prevailed to pick up their first win of the 2022 season.
When and Where: Friday, September 2, 2022 – University of Southern Maine – Hill Gymnasium
Score: Huskies 3, Nor'easters 2 (10-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-22, 15-13)
The Records: Southern Maine: 1-1; UNE: 0-1.
History: This was the 62
nd meeting between the two programs. The Nor'easters lead the all-time series 39-23.
How It Happened:
- The Nor'easters got off to a fast start in the first set and outscored the Huskies 25-10 to go up 1-0.
- The Huskies did not let the result of the first set get to them however and came out strong in the second frame. Southern Maine opened the second set on a 9-2 run and led by as many of 11 points. A large part of the USM rally came off four consecutive service aces from junior captain Meg Perry (Gorham, ME).
- The teams went back-and-forth with the score being tied three times in the third set before UNE was able to pull away and go up 2-1 by winning the set 25-14.
- The Huskies forced a tie-breaking set for the second day in a row by outscoring UNE 25-22 in the fourth set.
- Southern Maine closed out the match by scoring the final four points to complete their comeback victory and give them their first win of the season.
Inside The Boxscore
- Brianna Delloiacono (Moodus, CT) totaled 11 kills to lead USM followed by Perry and Isabella Smith (Merrimack, NH) with nine apiece. This was the second game in a row these three led the Huskies in kills and the second time that Perry and Smith recorded identical kills numbers.
- Perry led all players with seven service aces including the stretch in the second set where she notched four in a row.
- Sierra Castonguay (Nottingham, NH) and Savannah Hunter (Saco, ME) tied for the team lead in digs with 19. Hunter also logged 33 assists.
- UNE was led by Viktoria Pavlyuk in digs (12), Kailyn Reilly in blocks (4.0), and Emma Chase in assists (33).
Up Next: Southern Maine will wrap up their three-day tournament on Saturday evening at 4:00 pm in Hill Gymnasium when they host Maine Maritime Academy.
-rwd-