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LOWELL, Mass. – Freshman Madi Bell (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) totaled a career and team-high 16 kills for the UMass Lowell Volleyball team in the 3-2 loss to Hartford in the America East opener on Saturday night at Costello Athletic Center. The set scores were 25-23, 26-24, 22-25, 20-25 and 11-15.

With the loss, the River Hawks drop to 5-10 overall (0-1 AE), while Hartford improve its record to 4-10, 1-0 AE.

Bell also shattered her career-high with 19 digs in the losing effort for the River Hawks. Sophomore middle blocker Lade Adeniyi (Springfield, Ill.) and sophomore outside hitter
Haley Shimon (Des Moines, Iowa) each chipped in with 12 kills apiece to pace the River Hawks' offense.

Sophomore setter Delaney Mendez (Phoenix, Ariz.) shattered her career-high with 51 assists quarterbacking the UMass Lowell offense. Sophomore libero Lindsey Visvardis (Homer Glen, Ill.) managed 22 digs and two service aces. Visvardis clinched set two with a service ace to give the River Hawks a 2-0 lead in the match.

Senior middle blocker Lauren Bennett (Wilmington, Mass.) had six kills and six total blocks. Sophomore Erica Cappellino (Penfield, N.Y.) also had a strong match serving with three aces.

UMass Lowell tallied 10+ kills in every set, including a match-high 13 kills in the second and fourth sets. The match was close the whole way with 39 tie scores and 15 lead changes throughout the match.

The River Hawks return to the court on Friday, September 30^th at Albany (7pm) in America East play.