Volleyball Opens Home Slate with Newbury, Salem St. Tri-Match Saturday

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LAST TIME OUT
Hannah Fabiano's double-double effort of 14 kills and 21 digs led Suffolk women's volleyball in a 3-2 thrilling victory at Eastern Nazarene Tuesday night. The Rams recorded the non-conference win by set scores of 25-20, 23-25, 21-25, 25-11 and 15-8.

MORE READING: Fabiano Paces Women's Volleyball in 3-2 Win at Eastern Nazarene

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk opened the season with a five-match road swing in which the Rams went 2-3, earning wins at Mass. Maritime (3-1) and Eastern Nazarene (3-2). 

The Rams' 9.32 kills per set attack is led by freshman Hannah Fabiano, who has recorded double figure kills in the past three matches. The rookie owns a team-best 2.60 kps with a .337 attack percentage. Juniors Talia Lombardo and Bridget Allison add 1.74 kps and 1.53 kps, respectively. Liz Kerek is Suffolk's go-to-setter as the senior boasts 4.21 assists per set. 

Defensively, Fabiano once again leads the way with the rookie owning 2.73 dps to go along with 0.60 bps. Emma Feeney is second on the squad with 2.47 dps, while Chidera Nwankwo paces the pack at the net with 0.93 bps.

NIGHTHAWKS NOTES
Newbury is 1-9 on the year and is winless through its last five outings, dropping four of the five in straight sets. 

The Nighthawks combine for 5.46 kps. Patricia Farinas is the lone player for Newbury registering over 2.00 kills per set with 2.55 kps to her credit. Marlen Reynoso takes care of the Nighthawks setting duties, recording 3.60 aps. Julia Leggett holds down Newbury's defensive effort with 3.40 dps.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk boasts a 4-3 all-time series record versus Newbury.
• The Nighthawks took the last meeting between the teams in straight sets Sept. 5, 2014.
• The Rams and Nighthawks will meet for the first time with Bonny Ducharme as Suffolk's head coach.
• Five contests between Suffolk and Newbury have been decided in straight sets. The blue-and-gold is 3-2 when taking the Nighthawks the distance.
• Suffolk dropped the lone four-set match against the Nighthawks and won the lone five-set contest against Newbury in the all-time series.

EYES ON THE MATCH

VIKINGS VIEW
Salem State has picked up back-to-back straight set victories over Mass. Maritime and Pine Manor to level its record to .500 (4-4).

Five different Vikings average 1.00 kps with Jasmine Severino's 1.83 kps leading the way. Mackenzie Salls is the sole setter for Salem as the junior setter tallies 5.74 aps.

Hannah Mullarkey's 3.70 dps anchors Salem's defense with Samantha Chaisson and Sara Corey chiping in 2.37 dps and 2.09 dps, respectively.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• The Suffolk, Salem State series began in 2004.
• The Rams currently lead the all-time meetings, 10-3.
• Suffolk looks for its first win over the Vikings in the Bonny Ducharme era.
• In the team's last meeting, Salem State defeated the blue-and-gold, 3-1, Oct. 10, 2015.
• Suffolk owns both series sweeps in the all-time meetings. The Rams blanked the Vikings in 2011 and 2006.
• Overall, the Rams and Vikings have gone to four sets nine times with Suffolk owning a 7-2 advantage in such meetings.
• Only two matches between Suffolk and Salem State went the full five sets with each team owning one five-set win in the series. The last time the Rams won a five-set match against Salem was in 2013. The Vikings five-set win was in the first-ever meeting between the teams in 2004.

EYES ON THE MATCH

UP NEXT
Suffolk continues its homestand Tuesday, Sept. 19 as the Rams entertain Pine Manor at Regan Gymnasium at 7 p.m.