HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College women's volleyball team won in three sets against visiting University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut) in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Saturday afternoon at Bridges Gymnasium in Henniker, New Hampshire. Prior to the game, the Pilgrims recognized their two departing seniors of this year's class as part of Senior Day.
THE BASICS
Score: USJ 0, New England College 3 (29-27, 25-15, 25-16)
Records: Pilgrims 9-12, 5-7 GNAC | Blue Jays 2-15, 2-6 GNAC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first set proved to be a nail-biter, going into extra rallies. Down 27-26 and facing set point, the Pilgrims rallied after a Blue Jay attack error, with NEC junior outside hitter Lily-Anne Heywood (Derry, N.H.) giving them the lead with a kill before NEC senior outside hitter Savannah Pilialoha (Waipahu, Hawaii) – facing one of the biggest serves of her collegiate career – finished it off with a clutch service ace. Heywood posted six kills in the first with a .385 hitting percentage to lead the way for the 'Grims.
- The second set was all NEC, as the Pilgrims went up 20-9 off the serve of junior libero Kristina Cardello (Peabody, Mass.) and later setup set point with three straight kills from sophomore outside hitter Samantha Winters (Dover, N.H.) to go ahead 24-11, enroute to a two to none set advantage.
- In the third, a combination of five service aces and gritty defense saw the match swing decidedly in favor of the hosts. Cardello, already enjoying one of her best matches of the season, tallied ten digs in the third as senior day ended with a victory for the 'Grims.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Pilialoha led the way for the Pilgrims, filling the stat line with ten kills, five service aces and eight digs with a .261 hitting percentage. Heywood added 12 kills with six digs.
- NEC graduate middle-blocker Tatiana Sampson (Kailua, Hawaii), already NEC's all-time leader in kills and blocks playing in one of the final home matches of her historic career, posted nine kills with three total blocks on the day.
- Cardello dominated on defense with 28 digs in three sets, averaging 9.33 per set.
- NEC junior setter Aurora Gutierrez-Macias (El Paso, Tex.) posted 20 set assists with two aces and eight digs.
- USJ sophomore outside hitter Shaye Harris (Prospect, Conn.) led the Blue Jays with eight kills with nine digs while sophomore middle blocker Vivian Pawloski (Wallingford, Conn.) posted seven kills. Senior setter Fernanda Ayala Rodriguez (San Juan, Puerto Rico) had a team-high 15 digs.
- For the match, NEC outhit USJ, 0.196 to 0.096 with a ten to two edge in service aces.
- With the victory, the Pilgrims gain a measure of revenge from last season's season-ending loss to the Blue Jays, a five-set heart-breaker in the GNAC Tournament Play-In Round.
NEC SENIOR DAY
- Prior to the game, the New England College women's volleyball program recognized this year's senior class as part of senior day. Sampson and Pilialoha were honored by coaches, teammates, family members and fans for all of their accomplishments at NEC both on and off the court. Although their time with the program may be coming to an end, they will forever be a part of the 'Grims family.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the court on Thursday when they travel to Framingham State University for a 7:15 p.m. match against the host Rams.
- USJ host Bay Path in their next contest, that coming at home on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
