Volleyball Sweeps NEC in 2024 Opener

BRISTOL, R.I. – Suffolk women's volleyball locked up its 2024 season-opener in sweeping fashion as the Rams handled New England College, 3-0, Saturday afternoon at the Campus Recreation Center on the campus of Roger Williams as part of the RWU Invitational. The victory came by set scores 25-12, 25-13 and 25-21. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 3 | New England College 0
RECORDS: Suffolk (1-0) | New England College (0-2-0)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk handled the Pilgrims from the get-go as it jumped out to a 6-1 lead that blossomed into a 15-7 advantage at the midway point of the first frame. After the teams traded points, the blue-and-gold outscored NEC, 9-2 the rest of the way to lock up the set, 25-12 and go up 1-0.  

In the second stanza, a 9-1 Suffolk cushion turned into a lopsided 17-7 Rams lead. The Pilgrims managed to get the gap down to six, 18-12, however, the blue-and-gold scored seven of the next eight points to take the frame, 25-13.  

Despite Suffolk scoring the first four points of the third set, things evened out and the Rams held just a three-point lead, 15-12. Four consecutive points from the blue-and-gold lengthen its lead to 19-12. See-saw action ensued, but thankfully that advantage proved to be enough for the Rams, who went on to take the frame, 25-21, to secure the match. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• McKenna Keowen was on the verge of a double-double with 11 kills on a .286 connection rate to go along with nine digs, two assists, one ace and one block. 
• Jasmine James supplied seven kills and one assist to the offense and four digs and one block to the defense. 
• Chloe Clement chipped in six kills, one block and one dig. 
• Jayla Martinez and Aislinn Lanigan split time as Suffolk's setter. The former had 19 assists, while the latter handed out a dozen. Martinez added two kills, five digs and four aces. Lanigan also logged five digs and one ace. 
• Morgan Kelsey paced the defensive unit with 10 digs. The senior added four handouts and one ace. 
• Sami Shore had an all-around effort of three kills, six aces, three digs, one block and one assist.  

NOTEWORTHY

• The Rams are now 9-12 in match one of the year dating back to 2003. 
• The blue-and-gold started the year in the win column for the first time since sweeping Wellesley to get the 2022 campaign underway. 
• Suffolk played at a neutral site for the second straight season, 10th time overall, and fourth time under Scott Blanchard's guidance.
• The Rams are 4-4 when playing on a neutral hardwood in the initial outing of the year.
• The blue-and-gold improved to 7-11 in straight set openers. 
• Suffolk tangled with New England College for the first time. 
• Sam Michon and Kathy Mo made their collegiate debuts. 
• James tied a career-high four digs. 
• Shore served a personal-best six aces and tied a career-high three digs.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk wraps up action at the RWU Invitational against WestConn.