HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College volleyball team earned their fourth conference win as they defeated Dean College in three sets to zero with a set of scores 25-17, 25-19, and 25-18.
Bridges Gym was loud on Saturday afternoon, celebrating the class of 2026 and seniors made their impact on the victory. The Pilgrims started the match with two quick points, before the Bulldogs went up and tied. The first set was back and forth between the two teams. The team was able to go 8 for 9, led by junior Samantha Winters (Dover, N.H.) and junior Tyra Kelly (Fresno, Calif.). Taking the lead from a tie of 13 to 20-14. One of the seniors, Kaylee Montgomery (Weare, N.H.) was able to seal the set with two kills.
The second set was loud and close against the two teams. Senior Jamie Hansen (New Underwood, S.D.) was able to take back the lead for the 'Grims with a kill making the game 10-10. But would quickly go back to tied, until senior Lily-Anne Heywood (Derry, N.H.) had three kills in seven services going up 21-17 and ultimately taking the second set 25-19.
Dean was not going down without a fight in the third set of the game. They went on a three and zero run in the beginning, and the 'Grims just could not seem to catch up. The lead for neither team went past three, until a service error by the bulldogs was able to make the set tied. Senior Kristina Cardello (Peabody, Mass.) took the lead 18-17, and not looking back for a six- and zero run with a score of 22-17. Dean would score their last point with a kill, but sophomore LisaRaye Placencio (Maricopa, Ariz.) would regain the ball for the team and allowing senior Aurora Gutiérrez-Macias (El Paso, Tex.) the ball for the final two serves of the game taking the win 25-18.
Seniors Heywood and Montgomery lead the team with six kills. Montgomery also led with two aces. They were honored pregame as part of the team's senior day ceremony alongside senior Naydeen Martinez-Moreno (Henderson, Nev.) and the team's manager Halie Reidy.
The team will return to Bridges Gymnasium on Tuesday, October 21st against non-conference Framingham State for a 6:00 start.
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