DARTMOUTH, Mass. - Powered by double-digit kills from senior
Gabriella Monico and nine from freshman
Allison Pate, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth women's volleyball team opened their 2023 home schedule with a victory, besting Elms College in four sets. The Corsairs won each set by scores of 25-12, 25-13, and 25-7 after Elms stole the third set, 23-25. The Corsairs advance to 2-2 while the Blazers fall to 0-4.
After falling to a 3-5 deficit in the first set, Wade took over the serve as the Corsairs went on an eight-point run to go up 11-5. With a 19-12 lead in the set, freshman
Skye Peters set up Monico for the kill to give the serve back to the Corsairs. Up 20-12, junior
Monika Kristjansdottir took over the serve as the Corsairs scored five consecutive points to close out the first set, 25-12.
UMass Dartmouth kept rolling into the second set, getting off to a 9-3 start. Kristjansdottir added back-to-back aces to extend UMD's lead to 16-7. Sophomore
Emily Pogorelec took over the service responsibilities with a 20-9 advantage, and continued to serve for four consecutive Corsair points, including a big block from Wade and an ace from Pogorelec. UMass Dartmouth claimed the second set, 25-13.
With their backs against the wall, Elms College bounced back after falling into a four-point hole in the third set. After going down 15-11, the Blazers went on an 11-3 run to find themselves leading 22-18. Following the run the Blazers were able to steal the third set, 25-23.
UMD responded to their first set loss of the match in a big way, opening up the fourth with 10 unanswered points on Pate's service. With a 17-7 lead in the frame, Wade took over the service again. She recorded four consecutive aces, followed by two Elms attack errors, followed by a fifth ace. A final kill from Pate wrapped up the fourth set at 25-7, and the match at 3-1 in favor of the Corsairs.
UMass Dartmouth saw Monico lead the way with 11 kills on 24 total attempts. She was also credited with two solo-blocks. Peters led the way in assists from the setter position with 15, shortly followed by sophomore
Sabrina Bordone, who tallied 13 assists and six digs. Pogorelec held down the back line with 19 digs. Wade had a great day all-around statistically, recording seven kills, seven digs, and six service aces.
The Blazers were led by first year Samiyah Cabrera, who tallied seven kills and five digs. Sophomore Jaylen Holman was credited with a team-leading 14 assists. Junior Francesca Dirienzo led the team with two solo-blocks.
UMass Dartmouth women's volleyball looks to carry their momentum to Norton, Massachussetts, where they will face off with Wheaton and with Roger Williams on Friday. The match against Wheaton is scheduled for 4PM, the contest with Roger Williams is set for 6PM.
