BOXSCORE
HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College women's volleyball team prevailed in five sets over visiting Mitchell College on Wednesday evening at the Bridges Gymnasium in Henniker, New Hampshire in a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) with major implications for the league standings.
THE BASICS
Score: Mitchell 2, New England College 3 (18-25, 25-18, 29-27, 24-26, 15-13)
Records: Pilgrims 9-13, 3-0 NECC | Mariners 9-8, 0-1 NECC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After splitting the first four sets – including extra rallies in the third and fourth – the fifth set saw both exhausted teams push themselves to get back up, with neither able to build much momentum. The Pilgrims finally took match point off a kill from junior outside hitter Amber Thi (Kalihi, Hawaii), barely holding off a determined effort by the Mariners.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Thi posted a season-high 18 kills with 24 digs, three aces and three total blocks.
- Mitchell senior outside hitter Olivia DeLoach (Spring Hill, Fla.) posted a match-high 19 kills with 20 digs to lead the Mariners.
- NEC junior middle blocker Tatiana Sampson (Kailua, Hawaii) was a dominant force of nature at the net, totaling a season-high nine total blocks with eight kills and two services aces.
- Mitchell senior setter Claire Binfield (Las Vegas, Nev.) totaled 43 set assists and 18 digs.
- NEC junior setter Arianna Blaize Llamas (Honolulu, Hawaii) set up the offense with 30 set assists and 19 digs.
- Mitchell freshman libero Julia Lent (Miller Place, N.Y.) led all players with 27 digs.
- NEC senior libero Jaycie Kodama (Pauoa Valley, Hawaii) finished with 21 digs to lead the defense.
- NEC freshman setter Alison Hays (Dayton, Ohio) chipped in with a career-high 18 digs and ten set assists.
- With the victory, the Pilgrims are 3-0 in the NECC standings.
- NEC is now 5-0 all-time versus Mitchell.
UP NEXT
- NEC plays their next match on Saturday when they travel to Eastern Nazarene College for a 7:00 p.m. rematch of last year's NECC championship final.
- Mitchell travels to Lesley University on Saturday for their next match with a 1:30 p.m. start.
For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.