Sept. 3, 2011

Box Score

After falling in the match's first two sets, UMass Lowell battled back to push Bridgeport to a fourth, but eventually fell 3-1 on Saturday afternoon in Connecticut.

River Hawk volleyball starts the season with an 0-2 record after a pair of non-conference contests on opening weekend. The Purple Knights, a 2010 NCAA East Regional Finalist, improve to 1-0 on the young season.

The match scores were 19-25, 20-25, 25-23 and 26-28.

"I thought we played better--how I think we're capable of playing," said head coach Karen McNulty. "It's tough being 0-2, but as long as we keep improving the wins will come."

The River Hawks looked to be in control early in the opening set. UMass Lowell stormed to a 8-2 lead--keyed by the service of Ella Merrill (Bermuda Dunes, Calif.) who won six consecutive points--before Bridgeport found its bearings. The Purple Knights slowly crawled back, taking a 20-19 advantage and then scoring five straight points for the win.

Trailing 7-13 in the second set, UMass Lowell took six of the next seven points to roar back into contention. The teams then traded blows until the River Hawks were able to knot the score at 17-17. With the game leveled, Bridgeport found its rhythm once more to outpaced UMass Lowell 8-3 and take a 2-0 advantage overall. Merrill shined again in the second set, knocking down three of her team's 11 kills.

Facing elimination, UMass Lowell jumped out to a 12-4 lead in the third set, highlighted by Sierra Brown's (San Diego, Calif.) service of four consecutive points. Despite several pushes by the Purple Knights, the River Hawks held on for a 25-23 win. Lea Freeman (Methuen, Mass.) picked up three kills in the final seven UMass Lowell points and Hannah Rey (San Diego, Calif.) secured the win with an ace for the 25th point.

UMass Lowell fought hard in the final set, pushing the frame to extra points before falling 26-28. The River Hawks held a 22-17 lead late, but the Purple Knights went on an 11-4 run to seal the match.

For the day, Freeman led UMass Lowell offensively with 10 kills and five total blocks. She was aided by Merrill, who scored eight kills, nine digs and 13 service points, and Brown's six kills, .333 attack percentage and five digs.

Recording her second double-double in as many days, setter Kristina Wiltjer (Temecula, Mass) dished out 28 assists and 15 digs while also knocking down six kills. Libero Carolyn Eddy (Dracut, Mass.) also had a strong showing with a team-best 17 digs.

Despite facing an 0-2 hole to start the season, UMass Lowell must turn its attention to the team's Northeast-10 opener at Bentley on Wednesday at 7 p.m.