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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The UMass Lowell Volleyball team fell in straight sets at Harvard on Saturday afternoon at Malkin Athletic Center in the opening match of the New England Challenge. The set scores were 20-25, 21-25 and 19-25. 

With the loss, the River Hawks drop to 3-7 overall on the season, while the Crimson improves to 5-4 overall.

"The team played hard and gave great effort, but unfortunately we were not able to convert big points and get the momentum on our side," said Head Coach Resa Provanzano. "We will keep working on chemistry and execution down the stretch. We look forward to being able to put in all in action against a good team at Northeastern tomorrow."

Sophomore outside hitter Katherine Claybaugh (Danville, Calif.) paced the River Hawks offense with a match-high 15 kills to go along with a .333 hitting percentage and seven digs. Sophomore outside hitter Madi Bell (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) chipped in 10 kills, while junior setter Delaney Mendez (Phoenix, Ariz.) managed 29 assists running the UMass Lowell offense.

On the defensive side for the River Hawks, junior co-captain Lindsey Visvardis (Homer Glen, Ill.) notched a match-high 13 digs in the losing effort. Senior defensive specialist Malorie McIver (Austin, Texas) amassed nine digs.

The River Hawks hit at an impressive .303 clip with 16 kills in the second set. 

UMass Lowell returns to action in the final match of the New England Challenge on Sunday, September 17th at Northeastern. Match time from the Cabot Center in Boston, Mass. is 1 p.m.

The River Hawks host New Hampshire in the home and conference opener on Friday, September 22nd at Costello Athletic Center (7 p.m.).