Volleyball Sweeps Homecoming Tri-Match, Downs Mount Ida & Southern Maine

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene volleyball team coasted to a pair of non-conference victories Saturday afternoon on Homecoming weekend. The Lions blanked Mount Ida and Southern Maine to improve to 13-13 overall.

The Huskies moved to 18-5 on the season after defeating Mount Ida 3-0. The Mustangs fell to 3-23 on the year with the two losses.

Cayla Clinkscale (Winchendon, Mass.) led the way with 26 kills, 28 digs, four blocks and one ace for Eastern Nazarene. Hannah Welsh (Derry, N.H.) contributed with 12 kills, 28 digs and three service aces while Kortney Jenkins (Bunker Hill, W.V.) posted 13 kills, 22 digs and an ace.

Vanessa Pascal (Marlborough, Mass.) notched 31 digs to lead the Lions defensively.

Rookie setter Lauryl Berger (Laurel, Del.) tallied 53 assists on the afternoon.

In the opening match of the day, Eastern Nazarene captured the first set 25-17 to grab a 1-0 lead over Mount Ida. The Lions doubled their advantage to 2-0 with a 25-15 win in the second game.

The hosts clinched the third set 25-19 to cap off the 3-0 victory.

Eastern Nazarene closed out the day with a 3-0 win over Southern Maine. The Lions secured a one-set advantage with a 25-20 win in the first frame.

The home side edged the Huskies 27-25 in the second set before prevailing 25-23 in the third to earn the sweep.

In the middle match of the afternoon, Southern Maine grabbed the first game 25-18 and coasted to a 25-10 decision in the second. The Huskies topped Mount Ida 25-17 in the third set to secure the win.

Mount Ida was led by Abbey Fedigan and Haley Paradis with seven kills in the two matches while Katelyn Wickert posted six kills. Kelcey Koolman collected 31 digs on the day and Nicole Peixoto dished out 28 assists.

Amanda Keppel paced Southern Maine with 12 kills and 29 digs on the afternoon. Kristina Rubico finished with 11 kills and Megan Nilson recorded 35 assists to go with 21 digs.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene resumes league play as it travels north to square off against the University of New England October 23.