CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The UMass Lowell Volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision at Harvard on Saturday at the Malkin Athletic Center in its second match of the New England Challenge this weekend. The set scores were 17-25, 23-25, 25-18 and 16-25.

UMass Lowell falls to 1-11 overall with the loss, while Crimson improve to 5-4 overall.

"Overall, I am feeling optimistic about tonight's match," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Resa Provanzano. "We made some good adjustments after the first set and played some good volleyball against a strong Harvard team.  Consistency still remains are biggest area of concern, but it was better tonight."

Junior outside hitter Madi Bell (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) amassed a match-high nine kills to go along with a .286 hitting percentage and two total blocks. Junior outside hitter Katherine Claybaugh (Alamo, Calif.) and senior outside hitter Erica Cappellino (Penfield, N.Y.) each managed seven kills in the losing effort for the River Hawks.

Sophomore middle blocker Jessica Jubb (Millis, Mass.) and sophomore setter Malia Randolph (McDonough, Ga.) both tallied six kills apiece, while Randolph had another solid match with 23 assists, 11 digs and four total blocks running the River Hawks' offense. Jubb also added five total blocks and three service aces in the contest.

Freshman defensive specialist Aleyna Kennel (Monument, Colo.) and Randolph also chipped in with two aces, which included Kennel's set-clinching serve in the third frame. Senior libero Lindsey Visvardis (Homer Glen, Ill.) also registered eight digs in another solid match for the River Hawks on defense.

UMass Lowell hit at a .417 clip in its third set win to go along with 12 kills.

Maclaine Fields also matched Bell with a team-best nine kills and a .571 hitting percentage in the victory for the Crimson. 

The River Hawks conclude the New England Challenge with a tilt on Sunday, September 16th at Northeastern. Match time from the Cabot Center in Boston is 1 p.m.

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