Match 1 Box | Match 2 Box

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The UMass Lowell Volleyball team dropped a pair of matches on opening day at the Maroon and Gray Invitational hosted by Maryland-Eastern Shore at the Hytche Athletic Center. In the early match, the River Hawks fell to Rider, 3-1 (20-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-18), while UMass Lowell was swept in the second match by UMES (25-19, 25-23, 25-19).

"In some ways it was a typical start for a young team," said Head Coach Resa Provanzano.  "They played hard, but at times communication, discipline and chemistry were a little streaky. However, there were a lot of great moments and plenty of positives to build on. We are excited to face the same teams tomorrow to test our ability to make changes and improve."

In the early match vs. the Broncs, outside hitter Rachel Arnason (Kelowna, B.C.) record a team-high eight kills in her first career match with the River Hawks. Freshmen Lade Adeniyi (Springfield, Ill.) and Haley Shimon (Des Moines, Iowa) each totaled seven kills apiece in their first collegiate matches. Freshman setter Delaney Mendez (Phoenix, Ariz.) amassed 21 assists in her first career match as the quarterback of the River Hawks' offense. Sophomore libero Malorie McIver (Austin, Texas) registered a career-high 19 digs in the losing effort for the River Hawks.

The River Hawk hit .222 as a team with 14 kills in the second set.

In the late match vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore, Adeniyi recorded a career-high 10 kills and finished a solid first day with 17 kills. Junior middle blocker Lauren Bennett (Wilmington, Mass.) recorded eight kills in the match to go along with a .583 hitting percentage. Shimon finished with a team-high 12 digs and Mendez tallied 27 assists in the loss. The River Hawks amassed 10 kills apiece in the first and second sets, while recording nine in the final frame.

The River Hawks conclude play at the Maroon and Gray Invitational with a 10 a.m. match against Rider and a 2p.m. match against Maryland-Eastern Shore.