Endicott splits TCCC tri-match with RWU and WNEC

Endicott splits TCCC tri-match with RWU and WNEC
Box Score - Match One
Box Score - Match Two

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Endicott College women’s volleyball team split a pair of season-opening TCCC contests at a tri-match hosted by Western New England College on Saturday. The Gulls dropped a tough 3-0 setback to Roger Williams University to open the day (25-20, 25-23, 26-24), but rebounded to down the Golden Bears, 3-2 (25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 14-25, 15-7).

Roger Williams used a balanced offensive attack in the three-game sweep, with four players notching at least seven kills. Brittney Sullivan (Nashua, N.H.) led the way for the Hawks, as the junior had eight kills in the win. Endicott was paced offensively by \#Steph Wiese\# (Higganum, Conn.) and her match-high 10 kills. The Gulls also got a six kill and eight dig effort out of \#Brittany Phillips\# (Sudbury, Mass.).

Endicott rebounded nicely against host Western New England, cruising past the Golden Bears in the first two games, 25-15 and 25-19. The tide would turn, however, as WNEC responded by taking games three and four, forcing a decisive fifth set. The Blue and Green responded by mounting an 8-0 run before taking the match with a 15-7 win.

\#Steph Wiese\# was once again impressive, securing 14 kills and 14 digs while posting a perfect 1.000 receive percentage on 22 opportunities. \#Jackie Gardner\# (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) sparked the team with three aces and nine kills. \#Elyse Barbour\# (Greenville, R.I.) had 12 kills while freshman right side \#Jessica Kennedy\# (Avon, Conn.) had 10 kills and just one error for a .562 hitting percentage. As a team, the Gulls swung at a .260 clip against the Golden Bears.

WNEC was led by Rachel Cervone’s (West Springfield, Mass.) eight kills and 16 digs, while junior outside Samantha Shomo (Glen Gardner, N.J.) contributed eight kills, eight digs and four service aces. Sophomore outside Caroline Bitters (Greenfield, Mass.) added eight kills and 12 digs. Junior middle Lauren Landri (New Canaan, Conn.) had eight kills and three blocks.

The Gulls return to action on Tuesday when the Blue and Green travel to Middletown, Conn. to face the NESCAC’s Wesleyan University for a 7:00 p.m. match with the Cardinals.