GORHAM, Maine – Senior Madison Zimmer (Regina, Saskatchewan/Dr. Martin LeBoldus Catholic) recorded a team-leading 12 points for the University of Southern Maine women's volleyball team in a 3-1 non-conference win over the Salem State University Vikings on Wednesday evening in Gorham. Zimmer recorded seven kills, three aces, a solo block and two block assists.
 
Freshman Ella Koehler (Pickerington, Ohio/Fairfield Christian Academy) and sophomore Anyelis Hernandez (Lawrence, Mass.) led the Southern Maine offense with nine kills each. Sophomore Darrien Pugsley (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Arlington) added six kills plus three solo blocks and a block assist. Freshman Macie Ahmer (Lake Villa, Ill./Grayslake North) had a double-double with 35 assists and 11 digs. Fifth-year senior Sierra Castonguay (Nottingham, N.H./Dover) led the Huskies in digs with 16 and was one of four Huskies to reach double figures in the stat.
 
The Records:
Salem State: 2-22
Southern Maine: 6-22
 
Series History:
Southern Maine and Salem State have now played 25 times. The Huskies took a 13-12 with tonight's win.
 
How It Happened:

• The Huskies broke a 5-5 tie with an 8-0 run with sophomore Amelia Beatty (Rochester, N.H./ Spaulding) serving to go ahead 13-5. A 7-0 run allowed the Vikings to get back into the set and they eventually took a 20-18 lead. The Huskies prevailed by outscoring the Vikings 7-1 to close out the set with a 25-21 win.
• Salem State led wire-to-wire in the second set thanks to efficient hitting with 11 kills against one attack error.
• Southern Maine returned the favor with a dominant 25-15 win in the third set. The Huskies had six aces in the set. Sophomore Chloe Whittaker (Biddeford, Maine) subbed in and got an ace on her first serve then Ahmer had a pair of aces during a 4-0 run that widened the lead. Zimmer added three aces as part of a 5-0 run to end the set.
• The Vikings kicked off the fourth set with four straight points highlighted by two Sabina Kamanda aces, but the Huskies responded with a 10-2 rally to take the lead. The lead remained with Southern Maine as the Huskies took the set 25-12 to win the match 3-1. The match ended on another 5-0 run.

 Inside The Stats:

• Koehler finished with 11 digs and Beatty had 10 to join Castonguay and Ahmer in double figures.
• Junior Drew Johnson (Pismo Beach, Cali./Brewer) recorded six kills despite only playing in the final two sets.
• Pugsley led the blocking efforts and Zimmer and Hernandez supplemented her with a solo block and two block assists each.
• Ahmer and Zimmer each had three aces for the Huskies while Kamanda led the Vikings with five.
• Presley Shairs led all players in kills with 11.
• Celia Carbone had a double-double for the Vikings with 31 assists and 10 digs.
• Kailey Roche edged out Castonguay for the most digs with 17.

Up Next:
Southern Maine will conclude the 2024 season on Saturday at 12:00 pm against Vermont State University Castleton. The team will be honoring its seniors before the match.