Volleyball Falls to Regis, WPI in First Matches of 2013

WESTON, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene volleyball team opened the 2013 season with a pair of setbacks Friday evening on day one of the Regis College Pride Invitational, dropping non-conference decisions to Rivier and Worcester Polytechnic Institution.

The Lions slide to 0-2 overall to start the season. The Raiders posted a 1-1 record on the day while the Engineers captured a pair of wins.

In the first match of the fall, the Lions fell to Rivier 3-1. The Raiders claimed the first two sets 25-13 and 25-14. Eastern Nazarene prevailed 25-20 in the third set before Rivier closed out the match with a 25-20 decision in the fourth set.

Hannah Welsh (Derry, N.H.) posted a team-best 14 kills in the match to lead the Lions while Kortney Jenkins (Bunker Hill, W.V.) chipped in with 10 kills and nine digs.

Rookie setter Lauryl Berger (Laurel, Del.) registered 31 assists and 10 digs in her first collegiate contest. Dana Day (Coarsegold, Calif.) tallied 14 digs to pace Eastern Nazarene defensively.

In the second match, Eastern Nazarene suffered a 3-1 loss to Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The Engineers edged the Lions in the opening frame 25-23. Eastern Nazarene leveled the contest with a 25-21 win in set two. WPI recorded wins of 25-20 and 25-18 to cap off the victory.

Welsh paced the Lions with eight kills in the match. Leann Williams (Oxford, Pa.) and Jenkins each totaled six kills for Eastern Nazarene.

Berger dished out 20 assists and served up four aces in the nightcap. Sam Losano (Elverta, Calif.) recorded 15 digs and a team-high five aces. Cayla Clinkscale (Winchendon, Mass.) posted three blocks in the contest to lead the Lions at the net.

Eastern Nazarene will square off against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Mount Ida August 31 to wrap up play at the Regis College Pride Invitational.