Box Score

Sophomores Anisa Smith (Moraga Calif.), Ella Merrill (Bermuda Dunes, Calif.) and junior Brooke Peterson (Del Mar, Calif.) combined for 51 kills but it wasn't enough as Southern Connecticut defeated UMass Lowell, 3-2, Saturday in a Northeast-10 Conference volleyball clash at the Costello Athletic Center.

With the loss, UMass Lowell slipped to 10-13 overall and 5-8 in the NE-10 entering Tuesday night's home match with Stonehill (7:00). The River Hawks currently sit in a share of ninth place in the NE-10, but will likely have to win their final two matches against Stonehill and at Saint Rose (Friday, 7:00) to qualify for the NE-10 Tournament.

Southern Connecticut improved to 22-8 overall and 10-4 in the Conference (fourth place).

Game scores were 24-26, 24-26, 25-22, 25-16, 12-15.

UMass Lowell clawed back from a 0-2 deficit to force a fifth set. The River Hawks jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the final set, but were unable to contain the Owls in the late going.

Smith compiled a season-high 19 kills while hitting .404 (19 kills, 0 errors and 47 attacks). She also added nine digs and five blocks while Merrill had 16 kills and a season-high 23 digs.

Peterson added 16 kills – also a season-high – along with 13 digs, four service aces and three blocks.

Junior setter Olivia Parkins (Dracut, Mass.) dished out 45 assists – one shy of matching her season-best – while also chipping eight digs and a pair of blocks. Junior OH Kiana Raposo (Acushnet, Mass.) added 18 digs.

Junior MB Sarah Beres led Southern Connecticut with a game-high 20 kills while hitting .372 (20 kills, four errors, 43 attacks) while junior OH Lauren McVey added 12 kills and 19 digs and junior OH Jade Black 12 kills and 18 digs.

Senior setter Kim Lachowicz compiled 47 assists in addition to 15 digs.