Southern Maine Spoils Volleyball’s Senior Night in Straight Sets

BOSTON – Despite owning the lead in each set the Suffolk volleyball team could not hold off rallies from the University of Southern Maine as the Huskies came back in each frame to secure a non-conference sweep Tuesday night inside Regan Gymnasium. The out-of-league decision came by set scores 25-15, 25-18 and 25-22. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 0, Southern Maine 3
RECORDS: Suffolk (10-14) | Southern Maine (15-11) 

SET ONE RECAP (25-15, SOUTHERN MAINE)

• USM built an 8-3 lead to force Scott Blanchard to use his first timeout early. 
• The Rams stopped the Huskies run out the break, but it wouldn't be for long as the visitors jump ahead 16-7. 
• Suffolk managed to cut the deficit to eight, 23-14, thanks to solo block from Chidera Nwankwo. 
• The blue-and-gold would not get any closer as USM put away the set by scoring three of the final four points. 

SET TWO RECAP (25-18, SOUTHERN MAINE)

• Suffolk broke open a 5-all tie with three quick points capped off by an ace from Sarah Mullahy to take an 8-5 edge. 
• Southern Maine rallied and went on a 12-3 spurt to gain an 18-14 advantage. 
• The Rams comeback never came as the Huskies kept them at bay the remainder of the way to seal the set, 25-18. 

SET THREE RECAP (25-22, SOUTHERN MAINE)

• Suffolk took control early on with an 9-5 lead.
• The Huskies scored four in a row to level the playing field at 9-9. 
• The score would then tie six times before Southern Maine went in front 19-18. 
• Down 20-18, Blanchard called his team over to talk things out. 
• The Rams rallied out of the break and locked the score at 20-20. 
• USM remained in front, however, and held of the Rams to clinch the stanza and the match. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Nwankwo paced Suffolk's attack with nine kills with Bridget Allison and Kayla Barbera each contributing seven apiece. 
• Talia Lombardo handed out 22 assists to go along with eight digs and three kills. 
• Barbera and Dakhensey Marcellus pitched in seven and eight digs, respectively, to the defense. 

NOTEWORTHY

• The Rams and Huskies met for the third time, first since 2010. 

POST-MATCH PIC
 

LOOKING AHEAD
Suffolk ventures to Becker Thursday, Oct. 25 for its final non-conference bout of 2018. The out-of-league match is set to begin at 7 p.m.