WELLESLEY, Mass. - Powered by double-digit kills from seniors
Maggie Sullivan and junior
Kate Wade along with a defensive showcase from a crew of Corsairs, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth women's volleyball team opened their 2023 slate with a victory, besting Wellesley College in three sets. The Corsairs won each set by scores of 25-20, 25-19, and 26-24 after a big comeback in the third. The Corsairs begin their season 1-0 while the Blue fall to 0-1.
After beginning the first set with three unanswered points, the UMass Darthmouth took a 14-10 lead before a Wellesley time out. Following the break, the two non-conference opponents went back-and-forth leading to Wellesley cutting lead to 22-20. Sullivan recorded two kills back-to-back along with an attack error on the side of the Blue to give the Corsairs their first set of the season.
UMass Dartmouth kept rolling into the second set, they cruised to a 14-6 lead before another Wellesley time out. The Blue came out of the break and went on an 8-2 run to close the gap to 17-14 in favor of UMD. The returning Little East Conference Rookie of the Year
Emily Pogorelec (So.) scored three consecutive points on her serve. Sullivan helped close the set out with another two kills.
With their backs against the wall, WellesIey came out with a fire in the third set. The Blue jumped ahead to a 12-4 lead. The Corsairs were able to slowly crawl back into it, narrowing the lead to 16-13. Wellesley reached set point at 24-21, before the Corsairs began a six-point streak to overcome the deficit and win the third and final set, 26-24.
The Corsairs saw Sullivan lead the way with 12 kills on 19 total attempts (.632). She was also credited two blocks and three digs. Freshman
Skye Peters had a tremendous first outing, recording 13 digs and led the team with 33 assists. Wade tallied 10 kills on 30 total attempts and was credited 13 digs. Pogorelec led the team with 20 digs, three aces six total points on serves.
The Blue were led by Kate Giang, who tallied 11 kills on 45 total attempts. She also was credited with 11 digs. Madeline Zornek led the team with 16 assists.
UMass Dartmouth women's volleyball looks to keep rolling as they have two matches on Saturday. They travel to Waltham, MA where they will face Salve Regina at 10AM, followed by a matchup with Brandeis University at 12PM.
