Box Score DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Wentworth Institute of Technology won the final three points of the third set to earn a 3-0 victory over a homestanding University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Thursday evening in a NCAA Division III women's volleyball match inside the Tripp Athletic Center.
The Leopards captured their third sweep in the past four outings, defeating the Corsairs by the scores of 26-24, 25-18, and 27-25. The Corsairs dropped their fifth consecutive match to fall to 9-15.
Sophomore Katelyn Carlson (Stratford, Conn.) led Wentworth with a team-high six kills and an error on 24 swings, while also producing 10 assists and seven digs. Classmate Caroline Shea (Abington, Mass.) also contributed six winners, while junior Amanda Hunton (Monroe, N.Y.) handed a team-best 11 helpers. Freshman Lillie Clark (Vista, Calif.) protected the backline with a game-high 20 digs.
UMass Dartmouth featured a balanced attack with four student-athletes recording at least five kills, led by senior Eliza Bowes' (West Yarmouth, Mass.) game-high seven kills, plus 11 assists. Junior Megan Ronaghan (North Attleboro, Mass.) and freshman Olivia Wallett (Willington, Conn.) each recorded six winners. Junior Christina Spinazola (Medway, Mass.) posted a double-double with 14 assists and 11 digs. Senior Brianna Perry (Acushnet, Mass.) chipped in with a team-best 17 digs.
In nip and tuck opening set that featured nine lead changes, the Corsairs raced out to their largest advantage at 3-0. The Leopards matched hosts' largest lead late in the frame, holding a 24-21 advantage. UMass Dartmouth responded with three straight points to even the ledger, but Wentworth sealed the stanza with the final two points, capped by a Carlson winner.
The Leopards never trailed in the second set, holding their largest lead at 20-12. The Corsairs scored six of the next eight points to whittle their deficit to 22-18. Wentworth won the final three points to take a commanding 2-0 advantage.
UMass Dartmouth appeared poised to force a fourth frame, reaching set point twice at 24-23 and 25-24. However, the Leopards answered with the ultimate three-point run to end the evening.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 12 noon on Oct. 17, when the Corsairs face St. Joseph (Conn.) in Paxton, Mass.
