CNE CHAMPIONSHIP: Women's Volleyball Sweeps Wentworth, 3-0, To Win Fourth Title in Five Years

BEVERLY, Mass. - The Endicott women's volleyball team claimed the first-ever Conference of New England (CNE) Women's Volleyball Championship by sweeping Wentworth, 3-0. The Gulls won by set scores of 25-22, 28-26, and 25-18. 

Endicott's record improves to 22-7 overall and now awaits the NCAA Division III Tournament selection show which is set for Monday, November 18 at 1 PM. 

Against Wentworth, Endicott finished the match with an advantage in nearly every statistical category including kills (48-32), hitting percentage (.214-.196), assists (47-31), service aces (9-4), digs (49-39), blocks (9-7), and points (66-43). Hannah Maguire (San Jose, Calif.) was the one orchestrating the offensive onslaught throughout the match as she finished with 39 assists, 11 digs, two service aces, and four total blocks (1 solo, 3 assisted). 

Leading the offensive charge for the Gulls was Hadley Helenbrook (Atlanta, Ga.) as she finished with a double-double, posting 21 kills and 11 digs along with a match-high three service aces. In the second set, as Endicott clawed back from an early deficit, Helenbrook recorded 10 of her 21 kills on 15 total attacks (.467 hitting percentage) to go with four digs, two service aces, and a block assist.

Freshman Ava Grace Dresback (Pawcatuck, Conn.) finished the match with 11 putaways, seven digs, two service aces, and one block assist. Sophie Breitenbach (Newport, R.I.) recorded a season-high eight kills and finished with a match-high .412 average (minimum 10 attempts). The junior added two digs, two assists, and a block assist to help the Gulls secure the victory. 

At the front of the net, Stephanie Moreau (Methuen, Mass.) and Megan Murphy (Danvers, Mass.) controlled the play combining for eight kills and eight total blocks (1 solo and 7 block assist). Murphy finished with five kills and a season-high five block assists, while Moreau recorded three putaways and three total blocks (one solo and two block assists). 

Emma Ruel (Duxbury, Mass.) provided stability on the backline for the Gulls as she finished with a team-high 13 digs along with five assists. Her senior classmate Amelia Beigel (Amherst, Mass.) was also crucial on the backline with four digs and a service ace to clinch the final point in the match. Abby Downs (Billerica, Mass.) added a service ace and an assist to help fuel Endicott.

For her efforts in the CNE tournament, Ruel was named Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Across the two matches, she finished with 34 digs (4.86 digs per set), nine assists, three service aces, and was a perfect 15-15 in serve receive. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The 2024 title represents Endicott's 10 CCC title in program history. 
• The 2024 CNE championship match was a rematch of the 2023 CCC championship match as well.
• The senior class of Beigel, Savannah Cambell (Soquel, Calif.), Murphy, and Ruel finish their four years by winning three conference titles (2021, 2022, and 2024).
• Helenbrook was a perfect 14-14 in serve receive, the seventh time this season.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (22-8) now awaits the NCAA DIII Women's Volleyball Tournament Selection Show which is scheduled for Monday at 1 PM to find out their next opponent. Wentworth (18-11) sees its season come to a close.

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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)