Oct. 4, 2011

Box Score

Senior Lea Freeman (Methuen, Mass.) landed 12 kills and five total blocks as UMass Lowell volleyball swept St. Michael's in Colchester, VT on Tuesday night.

The sweep was the River Hawks' third in the last four matches as they improve to 9-4 on the year and 5-1 in the Northeast-10--tied with New Haven for the most conference victories. The Purple Knights still remain well over .500 on the year at 12-7, but dropped to 1-3 in conference play.

Senior Trina Carroll (Hampton, N.H.) got UMass Lowell started on the right foot, scoring four kills in the 25-21 opening set win. With the score tight at 22-21, the River Hawks tallied three straight points, highlighted by a kill and an ace from Carroll.

Freeman took the keys to the offense in the second set, knocking home six kills as UMass Lowell cruised to a 25-17 victory. Setter Kristina Wiltjer (Temecula, Calif.) picked up 13 assists as the team landed 16 total kills in the frame. Riding a hot-streak, the River Hawks scored eight of the last nine points.

In the final set, UMass Lowell used a balanced effort to secure a 25-20 win and the sweep. After a Purple Knights' service error to make it 24-20, Carroll ended the match with her ninth kill of the night.

Freeman finished with a match-high 12 kills and five total blocks, while Carroll a pair of blocks to her nine kills.

Wiltjer enjoyed a strong night as well, setting 29 assists and digging 13 balls for her eighth double-double of the season. Freshman Hannah Rey (San Diego, Calif.) got involved in the passing game, totaling a match-best 14 digs.

UMass Lowell has a few days off before returning to action in a home match against NE-10 leader New Haven in the Costello Gym on Saturday at 1 p.m.