HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College women's volleyball team battled in a tight non-conference matchup against Framingham State University, ultimately falling in four close sets to the Rams on Tuesday evening in Henniker, New Hampshire. 

The opening set remained close for a while as Framingham State held just a one-point lead, 17-16. But the Rams went on a quick 4-0 run to seize control and won the final three points of the set to take a 25-19 first set victory. 

The tightly contested nature of the first set carried over into set number two with Framingham State holding a narrow 11-10 lead early on. The Pilgrims responded with a 5-0 run to take control, but the Rams responded with a 5-0 run of their own just a few points later to go up, 18-17.  

NEC trailed 18-20 in the second set but rallied behind three kills from senior Lily-Anne Heywood (Derry, N.H.), a service ace by freshman Maddy Rollinson (Hamden, Conn.), and a set-clinching kill from junior Maeve Amarosa (Madbury, N.H.) to secure the second set, 25-21. 

The Pilgrims jumped out to an 18-7 lead in the third set, but the Rams won 18 of the next 23 points to steal the third set and take a 2-1 lead. The fourth set was much more back-and-forth, climaxing at 24-24. FSU's leading attacker, Natalie Reynolds, would win the Rams the final two points to clinch the non-conference win. 

Heywood led the 'Grims with a season-high 13 kills, followed by sophomore LisaRaye Placencio (Maricopa, Ariz.) and junior Tyra Kelly (Fresno, Calif.) who each had seven. Kelly matched a season's-best with five solo blocks. 

Heywood also set a new career high with 22 digs which trailed only fellow senior Kristina Cardello (Peabody, Mass.) who had 29. Graduate Alexandra Seijas-Quea (Fort Myers, Fla.) had 20 set assists for the 'Grims and four aces – moving into second in program history in career service aces. 

The team returns to action on Saturday with a GNAC tri-match against Colby-Sawyer Chargers and the hosting Mitchell Mariners in New London, Connecticut, with the matches set to start at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, respectively.  

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