Nov. 5, 2010

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UMass Lowell volleyball travels to Assumption on Friday night for its final road match of the 2010 regular season. The River Hawks are scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.

With the regular season coming to a close, the chase for the Northeast-10 playoffs is in top gear. UMass Lowell has won five of its last six matches and is currently slotted as the sixth seed, but needs one more win to clinch a berth in the conference tournament.

While the playoff implications are paramount, senior Sarah Coscia (Pittsfield, Mass.) is on the cusp of yet another career milestone. The middle-hitter is nine shy of 1,300 kills for her career. She would be the first River Hawk to surpass the plateau since Julie Handy (2002-05).

For the season, Coscia has totaled a team-high 340 kills and 81 blocks. The perennial standout ranks first in the NE-10 in points per game (4.68), third in kills per game (3.66), fourth in hitting percentage (.308) and fourth in blocks per game (0.87).

Coscia's battery mate for the past four seasons, Jillian Hadder (Yucaipa, Calif.), has come on strong over the last several matches. Hadder has recorded double-digit kills in five of the last six matches, averaging over three kills a game with a .277 attack percentage. Hadder has compiled 222 kills and 161 digs for the season.

The powerful River Hawk offense will be countered by the Greyhounds' Lauren Ostafin and Mary Johnston who have each eclipsed 250 kills in 2010.

Following tonight's match, UMass Lowell returns home for its final contest of the regular season on Saturday afternoon. The River Hawks will take part in "Senior Day" as they take on American International in the Costello Gym at 1 p.m.