Volleyball Downed by UMass-Dartmouth in Home-Opener, 3-0

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene volleyball team suffered a 3-0 setback to UMass-Dartmouth in the first home match of the 2013 season at the Lahue Physical Education Center Wednesday evening.

The loss pushes the Lions to 2-7 overall while the Corsairs jump to 1-4 with the win.

The visitors claimed a closely-contested opening set 25-23. UMass-Dartmouth prevailed in the second set 25-15 before securing the victory with a 25-20 decision in the third.

Cayla Clinkscale (Winchendon, Mass.) paced Eastern Nazarene with nine kills on the night while Hannah Welsh (Derry, N.H.) added seven kills. Kortney Jenkins (Bunker Hill, W.V.) posted eight digs and Sam Losano (Elverta, Calif.) notched five digs for the home side. Setter Lauryl Berger (Laurel, Del.) recorded 22 assists while also contributing with seven digs.

Eliza Bowes led UMass-Dartmouth with nine kills on the night while Tahirah Gibson and Kelly Lyons each registered seven kills.

Eastern Nazarene cut a first-set deficit to 9-8 on a kill by Welsh. The Corsairs responded with three unanswered points to push their lead to 12-8.

UMass-Dartmouth stretched its advantage to 20-13 following a 4-1 run.

The Lions pulled to within one late in the first frame, 24-23, but the Corsairs' Gibson tallied a kill to seal the set.

In the second stanza, UMass-Dartmouth rattled off 10 straight points to build a 15-3 lead. Eastern Nazarene strung together a 4-1 run to pull to 20-10.

Facing set point down 24-10, the Lions rallied to score five-consecutive points to make the score 24-15 before the Corsairs notched the clinching point.

UMass-Dartmouth carried its momentum into the third set, seizing a quick 9-4 edge. Eastern Nazarene battled back to narrow the margin to three points, 14-11, on a kill by Jenkins.

The Corsairs answered with five-straight points to restore their lead to eight, 19-11.

Vanessa Pascal (Marlborough, Mass.) served up back-to-back aces and Leann Williams (Oxford, Pa.) landed a kill to shrink the deficit to 23-20 late in the third set.

The visitors gained the final two points to cap off their first victory of the season.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene will face Daniel Webster and Anna Maria in a tri-match September 14 in Paxton, Mass.