DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Backed by an all-around effort from the entire squad, the UMass Dartmouth women's volleyball team posted a 3-0 (25-9, 25-14, 25-19) victory over Thomas College in non-conference action on Tuesday at Tripp Gym. The Corsairs move to 7-6 on the season, while the Terriers are now 1-7.
 
Sophomore outside hitter McKenna Highlander and junior opposite Olivia Seutter led the way with eight kills each. Highlander added three digs, while Seutter chipped in with three digs and a service ace. Senior middle blocker Ella Soutter added seven kills with two aces, a block assist and a dig, while sophomore opposite Lauren Powers had six kills with a block assist and a dig. Senior setter and captain Skye Peters recorded 25 assists with three aces and six digs, while rookie defensive specialist Brooke Harrington added a match-high 15 digs.
 
The Corsairs came out firing in the opening set, building up a 7-3 advantage following kills from rookie outside hitter Norah Schweitzer (5 kills total), senior outside hitter and captain Allison Pate, along with a Seutter ace. Thomas pulled to within seven (14-7), but six straight points including back-to-back kills from Schweitzer opened a 20-7 margin. The Corsairs added another 4-0 run and won the set on a service error.
 
Second set action saw things tied at 7-all until a seven-point swing for the homestanding Corsairs – including two kills each from Powers and Pate – made it a 14-7 score. The visiting Terriers pulled it to 19-13, but a 6-1 run with a final kill from Powers gave the Corsairs the set win and a 2-0 margin.
 
In the third set, UMass Dartmouth trailed by a 6-3 margin, but used a four-point streak to pull ahead, 7-6. The Terriers regained the lead, but kills from Soutter, Seutter and an ace from Peters saw the home team back up 11-9. Thomas continued to battle, but another 7-1 run, coupled with two kills by Seutter and a final blow by Soutter sealed the match victory.
 
UMass Dartmouth returns to action on Saturday when it travels to the University of Southern Maine to open Little East action against the Huskies at 12pm. The Corsairs will then play Husson at 2pm as part of tri-match action.