UMass Dartmouth Defeats Volleyball, 3-0

DARTMOUTH, Mass. – The Suffolk women's volleyball team fell in straight sets at UMass Dartmouth Thursday night in the Rams' non-conference finale. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 0, UMass Dartmouth 3
RECORDS: Suffolk (10-14) | UMass Dartmouth (10-17)

HOW IT HAPPENED
UMass Dartmouth found a tempo early, earning four kills on seven attempts from freshman Nicole Silverman to wrap up a 25-13 win in the first set. The Corsairs commanded the service game, with Jordan Rittberger firing three of the team's five service aces within just four points. 

Neither team could string much together on the attack in the second set, but again the hosts took advantage of Suffolk's seven errors to just six kills. UMass Dartmouth wrapped up the last four points of the 25-15 decision, including two more Rittberger aces before Kayla Kirby completed the kill on Giulia Leite's serve for the final point. 

Suffolk generated its best performance of the evening in the third set, posting seven kills including four by sophomore Chidera Nwankwo. The Corsairs battled back-and-forth points until Christina Spinazola took the serve with the 19-16 lead to hold off the visitors for good. Sophomore Olivia Wallett ended two potential Ram rallies with kills and Kirby shut the door, tallying all of UMass Dartmouth's final three points with two from Spinazola sets. 

POST-GAME PIC

UP NEXT
Suffolk closes its 2016 regular season Saturday afternoon as the Rams entertain Simmons and St. Joseph (Conn.) in their final GNAC tri-match of the year. Suffolk will first take the Michael and Larry Smith Court inside Regan Gymnasium at 11 a.m. versus the Sharks, before facing the Blue Jays at 3 p.m. Prior to first serve of match one, the Rams will honor the playing career of their graduating player, Sydney Littlefield.