Women’s Volleyball Drops ENC Invitational Opener to UNE, 3-0

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College women's volleyball team absorbed a 3-0 loss to the University of New England on day one of the ENC Invitational presented by Rockport Inn & Suites at the Lahue Physical Education Center Friday.

The Lions slip to 0-3 on the season while the Nor'easters improve to 3-1 overall with the result.

Ruth Aguilar (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) paced the hosts offensively with 15 kills and a pair of aces on the night. Rebecca Thorne (Quincy, Mass.) finished with six kills and four blocks. Courtney McCarthy (Merrimack, N.H.) and Halle Julian (Whitman, Mass.) both registered four kills and three blocks in the match. Samantha Caldwell (Quincy, Mass.) dished out 15 assists while Amya Altman (Butler, Pa.) collected a match-high 16 digs.

The opening set featured six tie scores as the visitors prevailed 25-20 to claim a 1-0 lead.

The University of New England edged Eastern Nazarene 25-21 in the second frame to expand its advantage to 2-0.

In the third game, the Lions clawed back from an early six-point deficit to snag a 10-9 edge with a 7-1 run. The Nor'easters eked out a narrow 26-24 win in the closely-contested third set to clinch the match.

Katie Flynn led the guests' balanced attack with 10 kills while Sydney Christiansen racked up 35 assists and 14 digs.

In the first match of the day, Framingham State topped Regis 3-1.

Anna Szymanski paced the Rams with nine kills while Payton Hodsdon, Brandey Rodriguez, and Deirdre Fay all finished with seven kills.

Katryna Veasey led the Pride with a match-best 21 kills while Karly Sanborn and Tori Ondris both registered 22 assists.

Framingham State rolled to wins in the first two sets to establish a 2-0 lead. Regis rebounded to triumph 25-14 in the third to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Rams answered with a 25-21 decision in the fourth to secure their first victory of the year.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene will battle Framingham State and Regis on the final day of the ENC Invitational September 7.