CNE SEMIFINALS: No. 1 Gulls Earn Hard-Fought Victory Over No. 5 WNE, 3-1

BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott women's volleyball team defeated Western New England, 3-1, by scores of 25-20, 25-20, 19-25, and 25-22 in Conference of New England (CNE) semifinal action on Wednesday night at MacDonald Gymnasium.

Hadley Helenbrook (Atlanta, Ga.) powered the Gulls' attack with a match-high 21 kills (7-4-2-8, by set) and 12 digs (12th double-double of the season).

She now ranks first all-time for kills in a single season with 468 total (previous record: Emma Mancini, 454 kills, 2017).

Stephanie Moreau (Methuen, Mass.) compiled 10 kills (.389), while Ava Grace Dresback (Pawcatuck, Conn.) filled the stat sheet with nine putaways, two service aces, and 10 digs.

Hannah Maguire (San Jose, Calif.) ran the offense via a match-high 45 assists (.381), alongside 10 digs and two kills (team-leading 14th double-double).

Emma Ruel (Duxbury, Mass.) ignited the Blue and Green from the back row with a match-high 21 digs.

Ruel went a perfect 11-for-11 on serve-receive and seven of her 21 digs led directly to kills (.333).

Tonight's match featured 13 ties (8-0-1-4) and three lead changes (2-0-0-1),

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Endicott is 26-4 all-time against Western New England (winners of 14 straight).
• The Gulls improved to 8-0 at home this season.
• In set one, Endicott broke open a 20-20 tie with five straight points from Dresback (kill, service ace), Helenbrook (two kills), and the clinching kill by Maguire, in respective order.
• Set two began with an 8-0 run from the Gulls that Western New England never recovered from.
• The Golden Bears fought back in set three with impressive play via their middles that led to Endicott tallying a match-low -.094 hitting percentage (6K-9E-32TA).
• After dropping behind 10-5 early in set four, the Gulls rallied to bring the game to a one-point deficit at 15-14, fueled by Helenbrook (3 kills, 1 service ace) and Moreau (3 kills).
• Abby Downs (Billerica, Mass.) pushed Endicott over the last hurdle in set four, as she held serve for seven straight attempts to jolt the hosts back into the lead for good from 16-18 to 22-19.
• Downs' efforts were highlighted by three consecutive service aces (20-18) before Helenbrook notched back-to-back kills (22-18) to eventually send the Gulls to the conference title match.
• Dresback posted a 43-for-46 line on serve-receive (.935, match-high for receive attempts).

WHAT'S NEXT

First-seeded Endicott (21-7) hosts second-seeded Wentworth in the CNE Championship match on Saturday, November 16 at 1 PM.

Fifth-seeded Western New England sees its 2024 season come to a close at 21-8 overall. 

For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

(Photo Credit - Mazzie Hinsdale '26)