HENNIKER, N.H. – The 2021 New England College Women's Volleyball team's historic season ends in the New England Collegiate Conference Championship match, as they fell to Eastern Nazarene College, 3-1, Sunday afternoon.

 
THE BASICS
Score: Eastern Nazarene College 3, New England College 1

Records: Pilgrims (19-7, 3-0 NECC) | Lions (17-10, 2-1 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

From the opening serve, the 2021 NECC Championship match was full of runs. New England College made the first run, as they jumped out to a fast 4-1 lead. The Lions responded with a run of their own to tie the set at 5-5. The Pilgrims were able to maintain a slight advantage until the score was 20-18 NEC. Eastern Nazarene was able to score six straight, and seven out of eight to win the first set 25-21.

ENC was able to carry the momentum that they establish in their first set win and snag the first six points of the second set. After the Pilgrims got two quick points, the Lions were able to push their 10-2. New England College bounced back and was able to tie the set at 12-12. The two teams jockeyed for the remainder of the second set, but ENC was able to go up 2-0 in the match after a 25-23 set win.

In the third set, NEC took control early, as they were able to jump out to a 12-6 advantage. ENC was able to rally to the set at 16-16 and 18-18 but was unable to take the lead. The 'Grims capped off the third set with eight straight points to win the set 25-18.

New England College opened up the fourth set with the momentum, as they ran out to a 4-1 lead. Eastern Nazarene slowly chipped away at the deficit and eventually take an 8-7 lead. The two teams traded points down the stretch, but NEC had a late run. With ENC leading 23-18, the Pilgrims were able to string together three straight points. The Lions were able to halt the charging 'Grims, as they snagged the last two points, to win their second-straight NECC Championship.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Tatiana Sampson led the Pilgrims with 12 kills and six blocks.
• Shirita Wimberly (11) and Amber Thi (10) each recorded double-digit kills for the Pilgrims.
• Kenzie Barron (19) and Tihani Ehia (17) each had 15+ assists, while five different 'Grims picked up double-digit digs (Wimberly, Kodama, Barron, Thi, and Ehia).
• The All-Tournament Team is compiled of Tallin Goldberg (Lesley), Olivia DeLoach (Mitchell), Shirita Wimberly (NEC), Jaycie Kodama (NEC), Eliana Baran (ENC), Emma Graves (ENC), and the Tournament MVP is Ruth Aguilar (ENC)
• Eastern Nazarene College leads the all-time series 4-2.

UP NEXT

Eastern Nazarene will move on to the NCAA Division III Tournament with the automatic bid.