Women’s Volleyball Triumphs in Five-Set Thriller at New England College, Nabs No. 1 Seed in NECC Tournament

HENNIKER, N.H.- The Eastern Nazarene College women's volleyball team prevailed 3-2 at New England College Saturday to clinch the New England Collegiate Conference regular-season crown and the top seed in the NECC Tournament for the second-straight year.

The Lions cap off the regular season with a 15-6 overall record and an unblemished 7-0 mark in the New England Collegiate Conference with the victory. The Pilgrims move to 13-11 on the year and 6-1 in league action with the result.

Courtney McCarthy (Merrimack, N.H.) posted a team-high 15 kills while adding 11 digs and four blocks. Ruth Aguilar (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) notched her fourth triple-double of the season with 24 assists, 13 kills, and 10 digs. Rebecca Thorne (Quincy, Mass.) finished with eight kills and six blocks. Jessica Caldwell (Quincy, Mass.) tallied 18 digs while Amya Altman (Butler, Pa.) collected 15 digs on the day. Samantha Caldwell (Quincy, Mass.) dished out 14 assists and registered seven digs.

The home team established a 1-0 edge in the match with a 25-22 win in the opening set.

The visitors responded with a 25-22 decision in the second frame to level the score at 1-1.

New England College regained a one-set advantage, 2-1, after claiming the third 25-18.

Eastern Nazarene pulled even at 2-2 with a a 25-21 victory in the fourth game.

The Lions locked up the win with a 15-8 decision in the fifth to capture their third-consecutive victory.

Shirita Wimberly paced the Pilgrims with 19 kills while Dreka Griffin chipped in with 10 kills. Tihani Ehia recorded a match-high 28 digs to go with 12 kills.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene will host a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Tournament semifinal match November 8.