Box Score DARTMOUTH, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Dartmouth senior Eliza Bowes (West Yarmouth, Mass.) registered a season-high 11 kills and a .455 attacking percentage to power the Corsairs to a 3-0 victory over the University of Southern Maine this afternoon at the Tripp Athletic Center.
UMass Dartmouth won for the second time in its past three matches to improve to 5-7, while the Huskies fell to 4-6. The Corsairs also snapped a 10-match conference losing streak to raise their Little East Conference record to 1-0.
Freshman Olivia Wallett (Willington, Conn.) also reached double digits in kills with 10, junior Christina Spinazola (Medway, Mass.) registered a game-high 35 assists. Senior Brianna Perry (Acushnet, Mass.) protected the backline with 29 digs.
Sophomore Jess Williamson (Goffstown, N.H.) led the Huskies with team-highs in kills (8) and digs (16). Junior Megan Nilson (Granby, Conn.) posted a double-double with 13 assists and 10 digs.
In a back and forth first set, the lead changed hands three times and neither team led by more than three points. UMass Dartmouth closed strong down the stretch, winning three of the final four points to take the opening frame 25-22.
The Huskies raced out to an early 4-1 advantage in the second stanza, but the Corsairs scored six consecutive points to take a 10-6 lead. Southern Maine would close the gap to four points (18-14), but UMass Dartmouth strung together four straight points to force a Huskies' timeout. With a full head of steam, the Corsairs finished off the set, winning 25-18.
UMass Dartmouth started slughishly in the final frame as the visitors' jumped out to a 4-0 lead. However, the Corsairs seized control of the set by winning eight of the next nine points, highlighted by three service aces from Bowes. The hosts would never look back as they held 10-point (22-12) before closing out the match (25-13).
UMass Dartmouth will return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 22, when the Corsairs visit Suffolk University.
