HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College women's volleyball team picked up a pair of victories on Saturday, taking down Elms College and Salem State University in a home sweep of Bridges Gym.
The Pilgrims took on the Elms Blazers in the first match of the day, earning a conference victory in straight sets (26-24, 25-12, 25-16). Senior Tyra Kelly (Fresno, Calif.) led the way with 12 kills and three solo blocks. Sophomore Maddy Rollinson (Hamden, Conn.) had a team-high 16 assists and four service aces. NEC had 15 aces in the match to the Blazers' one.
In the first set, the 'Grims led 23-17 but the Blazers showed some fight with a 7-1 run to tie things up at 24-24. NEC would hold on for the set win on a kill from senior Samantha Winters (Dover, N.H.) and a service ace by senior Lily Cunanan (Woonsocket, R.I.) to clinch it. The Pilgrims faced little resistance in the two sets to follow to earn their fourth GNAC victory of the season.
Facing Salem State in the late match, the Vikings took the first set before the Pilgrims settled in and earned a non-conference win in four sets (16-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-15). Junior Emma Bernard (Chester, N.H.) set a season-high with 14 kills, while Kelly continued to dominate with eight kills and eight total blocks. Graduate Alexandra Seijas-Quea (Fort Myers, Fla.) had 20 assists and 13 digs, while Cunanan had a team-high 17 digs.
NEC brushed off the first set loss, rebounding with a strong finish to the second set by winning five of the final six points to tie things up at 1-1. The team stayed hot going into the third set, separating early and not letting the Vikings back into the match. The fourth and final set was more of the same as Bernard took over with five kills in the set en route to a 3-1 win.
The Pilgrims continue their homestand on Wednesday, October 21st, as they welcome Rivier University to town for a 6:00 PM conference matchup.
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