Owls Fall to Rivier, Maine Maritime at Rivier Tournament

Westfield, Mass. – The Westfield State volleyball team (1-11, 0-1 MASCAC) fell in straight sets to Rivier (25-14, 26-24, 27-25) and Maine Maritime (29-27, 25-14, 25-12) at the Rivier Tournament in Nashua, New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon.

In game one, the Owls remained competitive throughout the match, and led the second set 22-20 before the Raiders fired off five consecutive points to steal the set. In set three, the Owls again were in striking distance of taking the set, but Rivier (2-2) sealed the match on a game-winning kill by first-year outside hitter Brynn Roche (Johnston, RI). Roche was one of three Raider players to record at least ten kills, leading the team with eleven.

Shawna Crowley (Billerica, Mass.) led the Owls with seven kills in match one, while Julia Dangel-Garcia (Ashland, Mass.) added 13 assists. Owls' Libero Jess Haradon (Mansfield, Mass.) collected a team-leading nine digs.

In game two, the Owls lost a closely contested first set on a service ace by first-year Hunnie Zuber (Lubbock, Texas), then lost steam in the final two sets to lose the match. Owls sophomore Bridgette McAndrews (Longmeadow, Mass.) led the team with seven kills. Dangel-Garica was the team leading assist-getter, setting up ten kills. Haradon added ten digs.

Rachel Melampy (Marshfield, Mass.) led Maine Maritime (4-3) with 13 kills, and Katie Albritton (Hutto, Texas)recorded 27 assists.

Westfield State will look to get back on track as the Owls visit Simmons on Tuesday night at 7:00 P.M.