BOSTON, Mass. – New England College Women's Volleyball fell to GNAC opponent Simmons University 3-1 by set scores of 16-25, 14-25, 25-23, and 22-25. 

Both teams jumped out offensively as the first set started with five points apiece. Junior Tyra Kelly (Fresno, Calif.) and senior Kaylee Montgomery (Weare, N.H.) registered kills to get things started for the Pilgrims. The Sharks went on a 13-4 run before sophomore LisaRaye Placencio (Maricopa, Ariz.) got NEC to ten points. Senior Kaylee Montgomery (Weare, N.H.) added an ace in the set. 

The Pilgrims got out to a 6-2 lead in the second set off two kills from Placencio before freshman Teagan Saner (Plains, Mont.) added three kills toward the end of the set. 

Simmons started the third set with a 14-11 lead before kills from Placencio and Saner led to multiple service aces from Montgomery to take the 16-15 lead. Saner added two more kills before junior Samantha Winters (Dover, N.H.) scored two kills and a service ace to win the third set. 

Kills from Winters and Placencio started the scoring for the Pilgrims in the fourth set before Kelly gathered three kills as NEC pulled themselves within two points of the Sharks. The teams traded blows including three kills from Winters as the Pilgrims tied the set at 22 before Simmons pulled away. 

Kelly led the Pilgrims with 10 kills in the loss. Saner (8), Winters (7), and Placencio (7) combined for 22 kills. 

Senior Aurora Gutierrez-Macias (El Paso, Tex.) added 17 assists while graduate Alexandra Seijas-Quea (Fort Myers, Fla.) finished with 13. Senior Kristina Cardello (Peabody, Mass.) led NEC with 18 digs. 

The Pilgrims are back in action when they host the Dean College Bulldogs in Bridges Gym at 1:00 PM. 

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.