HENNIKER, NH. The New England College women's volleyball team fell in the decisive fifth set to Eastern Nazarene College 3-2 in the New England Collegiate Conference finale.

THE BASICS
Score:Eastern Nazarene University 3,New England College 2
Records:New England College (13-11, 6-1 NECC) | Eastern Nazarene University (15-6, 7-0 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Things were tight early on with each team trading points. The Pilgrims were able to build a 7-4 lead early, but the Lions came back with a 4-0 run to claim the lead at 8-7. Both teams saw small runs with the lead going back and forth up to a 17-16 lead for Eastern Nazarene. New England College was then able to go on a 5-0 run to take the lead at 21-17. The Lions fought back but the lead proved to be too much as the Pilgrims took the first set 25-22.

In the second set, NEC jumped out to an early 3-1 lead. ENC kept fighting back but the New England College was able to hold on to their lead until 11-8. At that point, Eastern Nazarene took the lead at 12-11 with a 4-0 run. The Lions never looked back as the held on to the lead for the remainder of the set despite the Pilgrims' best efforts. ENC took the set 25-22 and tied things up at 1-1.

The third set saw Eastern Nazarene jump out to a 5-2 lead. NEC then started chipping away eventually tying things up at 6-6. Both teams traded points as the score progressed to 9-9. From there New England College went on a 4-0 run to take a 13-9 lead. The Pilgrims would hold on to the lead for the remainder of the set as they took the 25-18 win and 2-1 lead.

In the fourth set, the Lions again took a 5-2 lead which they would then build on. ENC was able to 12-5 before some pushback from NEC. New England College went on a 4-0 run to bring things to 12-9 but was still behind. Eastern Nazarene was able to hold on to the lead for the remainder of the set and come away with a win. The Pilgrims kept things close but dropped the set 25-21 as the Lions forced a fifth set.

Eastern Nazarene carried their momentum into the final set as the took the first six-point for a 6-0 lead. NEC was then able to subdue the Lions some as they went on a 4-0 run to bring things to 6-4. Each team traded point as the score was pushed to 8-6. From there ENC went on a 7-2 run to close out the set and the game with a 15-8 and 3-2 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Shirita Wimberly had a career-high 19 kills and 7 digs, while Dreka Griffin had 10 kills and Tihani Ehia had 12.
- Jaycie Kodama picked up 25 digs while Ehia led the team with 28.
- Maggie Dadmum paced the Pilgrims with 32 assists and Kenzie Barron added 16.

WHAT'S NEXT
New England College will be the number two seed heading into New England Collegiate Conference playoff action. As the two seed, the Pilgrims have a bye for the quarterfinals and will host the winner of No. 6 Dean College and No. 3 Elms College.