Box Score DARTMOUTH, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's volleyball team fell to Eastern Connecticut State University in straight sets on Tuesday evening at the Tripp Athletic Center, 25-18, 25-17, and 25-19.
Junior Jasmine Burris (New Bedford, Mass.) led the Corsairs' offensive attack with nine kills. Sophomore Christina Spinazola (Medway, Mass.) distributed the ball nicely during the three sets and finished with 18 assists. Junior Brianna Perry (Acushnet, Mass.) registered a game-high 26 digs for the home team, while classmate Eliza Bowes (West Yarmouth, Mass.) contributed four service aces.
Sophomore Adrianna Mihalek (Woodbury, Conn.) and classmate Kay Mullen (Fairhaven, Mass.) each produced nine kills for the visiting Warriors. Senior Allie Henry (Middletown, Conn.) handed out 16 assists to her fellow teammates. On the backline, junior Allie Luppi (Tewksbury, Mass.) generated 18 digs for Eastern Connecticut.
In the opening set, UMass Dartmouth (10-17, 0-6 LEC) held two early, four-point leads, but was unable to keep Mihalek in check. The Woodbury, Conn. product closed the gap with three consecutive kills to bring the set even at eight points apiece. Eastern Connecticut proceeded to go on an 11-5 run. The Corsairs cut the deficit down to six (23-17), but were unable to overcome the deficit.
The Warriors took immediate control in the second set and consistently built distance between themselves and the Corsairs. Faced with a 20-9 deficit, and following a timeout, UMass Dartmouth rallied back with five unanswered points, including a pair of aces from Bowes. For the duration of the set, the two teams traded points, with the visitors winning by six points.
Eastern Connecticut (15-13, 4-2 LEC) generated a 6-1 run after opening the final set down 3-1. Mihalek contributed all three of her night's service aces during the run. The Corsairs brought the game within one (19-18) following a block by junior Shannon Orton (Swansea, Mass.) and sophomore Cara Butcher (East Longmeadow, Mass.). Mullen registered three of her nine kills down the stretch to clinch the decisive set for the Warriors.
UMass Dartmouth has its final two games of the season on Saturday, Nov. 1, when the Corsairs travel to Gorham, Maine for a doubleheader with Southern Maine and Saint Joseph's of Maine. Eastern Connecticut heads to Connecticut College on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. match.
