KEENE, N.H. – Powered by double-digit kill totals from three different players, the UMass Dartmouth volleyball team defeated Keene State, 3-1 (25-14, 25-20, 24-26, 25-22) in Little East Action at Spaulding Gym on Friday evening. The Corsairs move to 11-6 overall and are now 2-0 in conference play.
Junior outside hitter and captain
Allison Pate led the way, recording 20 kills with just three errors on 39 total attempts for a .436 hitting percentage. She added 16 digs, a service ace and two block assists. Sophomore opposite
Olivia Seutter recorded 18 kills and just one error on 36 swings with a .472 percentage, adding a block solo and two block assists, while rookie middle blocker
Aleek Kuot had 11 kills with an ace and two block assists.
Senior defensive specialist and captain
Emily Pogorelec had a match-high 25 digs with five assists and an ace, while junior setter
Skye Peters had a match-best 31 assists with two aces and 13 digs.
The opening set was a close one as Keene State led by a 12-11 margin following an attacking error by the Corsairs. UMD turned the tables, going on 9-0 run to gain the 20-12 lead. Pacing the effort was three kills from Seutter and Pate. After the Owls pulled back to within 22-14, the Corsairs responded with three straight points, capitalizing on several Keene State errors to grab the win.
It was a back-and-forth battle in the second set as UMD held just a 15-14 edge, but the visitors benefited from four straight points – including three kills in a row from Seutter – to turn the score to a 19-14 advantage. The homestanding Owls gained back three points at the end, but UMD benefited from an error once more to take the 2-0 lead.
The Owls answered in the third set, turning a 24-all tie into the set win behind a pair of kills, but the Corsairs responded in the final frame. Leading by a 23-16 score, UMass Dartmouth saw Keene State lay down five straight to close the gap to 23-21. A kill from rookie outside hitter
Ashley Serverius and junior opposite
Maddie Carter wrapped up the set and match victory.
UMass Dartmouth returns to action on Wednesday, traveling to Rhode Island College for a 7pm tilt against the Anchorwomen.
