Western New England University (WNE) fell to Keene State Volleyball as the Owls picked up a strong non-conference road win on Saturday, Sept. 13, sweeping WNE in three sets (25-22, 25-22, 25-18) at Alumni Healthful Living Center in Springfield, Mass. The Owls improved to 4-5 on the season, while the Golden Bears dropped to 3-7.
Balanced offense and solid defense were key for the Owls, with a .231 hitting percentage as a team. KSC also held WNE to a .190 hitting percentage. Senior outside hitter Captain Gigi Stake and sophomore outside hitter Marina Miller led the attack with nine kills each, while first-year middle blocker Katie Taylor added eight and contributed four blocks. First-year setter Ava Harkins dished out 15 assists and three aces, while junior setter Alexis Small tallied 14 assists and two aces of her own.
KSC’s defense was anchored by sophomore libero Delia Ryan, who notched a match-high 18 digs, with Miller contributing 13 more. The Owls also out-blocked the Golden Bears 6-5, led by junior outside hitter Sarah Bartels with six rejections.
Despite a close battle in the first two sets, WNE could not string together enough momentum. Middle blocker Rachel Critz and outside hitter Charlei Henkel each recorded 10 kills for WNE, while outside hitter Léa Barber chipped in eight kills and four aces. Setter Deana Baez led with 16 assists, and Barber also posted 13 digs.
Keene State showed composure late in sets, finishing strong in both the first and second to grab control. In the third, the team surged ahead early and never looked back, sealing the sweep with a dominant .333 hitting percentage.
The Owls will now head to Norton, Mass., for a doubleheader against Gordon College and Wheaton College. Keene State will look to return to a winning record with much of the season still ahead.
Jonathan Smyers can be contacted at
jsmyers@kscequinox.com
