Box Score BOSTON – The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth volleyball team fell to the Wentworth Institute of Technology in straight sets, 25-6, 25-22, and 25-22, on Thursday evening.
With the victory, the Leopards (10-9) snap a seven-match series losing streak to the Corsairs, who fall to 8-11.
Junior Jasmine Burris (New Bedford, Mass.) led the visitors with four kills to go along with eight digs and a service ace. Junior Kayla Kirby (Westport, Mass.) contributed three kills and handed out five assists for UMass Dartmouth. Junior Brianna Perry (Acushnet, Mass.) compiled 13 digs, while senior Rachel Frederickson (Marston Mills, Mass.) added nine digs of her own.
For Wentworth, junior Hannah Bailey led the Leopard's offensive attack with nine kills. Freshman Sydney Meyers complimented Bailey with seven smashes and 16 digs. Sophomore Jordan Young dominated the net on both ends with seven kills and four blocks, including three block assists. Senior Shannon Ponce produced a game-high 25 assists, while senior Sam Curran generated 19 digs and three service aces.
The first set was all Wentworth, as the Leopards opened on a 7-1 run. After committing a service error to make the score 7-2, the hosts scored eight straight points to take a 15-2 lead and would only give up only four more points in the set, as they closed it out 25-6 thanks to strong play at the net from freshman Sydney Meyers.
UMass Dartmouth came out strong in the second set, as the Corsairs held multiple leads. Trailing 10-9, senior Sam Curran had a service ace to tie the set at 10. The two teams would go point-for-point, exchanging leads multiple times, up until the score was tied at 21. Wentworth regained the lead thanks to a kill from senior Shannon Ponce. The Leopards didn't look back from there, as they finished the set with a kill from junior Hannah Bailey to win 25-22.
Wentworth opened the third set with three straight points, but UMass Dartmouth responded with three unanswered points to knot the set at 3-all. After tying the score again at six, the Leopards went on an 8-1 run to lead 14-7. Wentworth looked poised to end the set early when it lead 21-15, but the Corsairs stormed back to tie the match at 22-22. The Leopards closed out the set and the match by scoring three straight points, including on a Bailey kill at match point.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 7 p.m. on Oct. 14, when the Corsairs host Lasell College in non-conference play. UMass Dartmouth will be hosting its annual Breast Cancer Awareness match against the Lasers.
