Oct. 8, 2011

Box Score

A career-best 17 kills from rookie Hannah Rey (San Diego, Calif.) couldn't stop New Haven from derailing UMass Lowell volleyball, 3-1, in the Costello Gym on Saturday afternoon.

The River Hawks drop to 9-5 overall and 5-2 in Northeast-10 play, while the Chargers earn their 11th consecutive win to move to 11-4 on the year and a perfect 6-0 in conference action.

UMass Lowell stunned the red-hot Chargers out of the gate, racing to a 25-21 victory in the match's opening frame. Rey led the offense from the start, landing five kills, while Brooke Peterson (Del Mar, Calif.) scored four of her own. The River Hawks managed a .457 attack percentage and we're able to keep the high-powered New Haven offense in check.

The fortunes flipped in the second set as the Chargers recorded a .464 attack percentage en route to a 17-25 win to level the score. Rey scored six more kills, but accounted for half of UMass Lowell's offense.

The clubs battled tooth and nail in the third frame with New Haven emerging with a 23-25 win. Peterson took the reins this time with five kills and freshman Sierra Brown (San Diego, Calif.) aided in three blocks to fight the Chargers throughout. The River Hawks forced a timeout late in the set, drawing the score within one at 22-23, but couldn't keep the momentum.

Down 1-2 overall, UMass Lowell found itself on the wrong end of a 9-25 result in the final set. The River Hawks recorded more errors (8) than kills (7).

Rey led the attack with 17 kills and 12 digs on the day, her fourth career double-double. She was joined in the assault by Peterson, who had 12 kills and seven digs.

Setter Kristina Wiltjer (Temecula, Calif.) had a strong showing with the keys to the offense, dishing out 41 assists and digging 10 balls. Libero Carolyn Eddy (Dracut, Mass.) was also important in the passing game, digging a team-high 14 balls.

UMass Lowell has some time to rest following today's match, staying off until next weekend when it travels to Adelphi on Friday (7 PM) and Pace on Saturday (1 PM).