BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The Bridgewater State University volleyball team opened the 2012 season at a tri-match hosted by the University of New England on Saturday afternoon.  The Bears (0-2) dropped a pair of 3-0 decisions to Clark University and host UNE. 

Freshman middle hitter Julie Hutchins (Bellingham, Mass.) had a terrific collegiate debut in the season-opening loss to Clark as she notched 10 kills to go along with two assisted blocks.  Hutchins also recorded a .316 hitting percentage.

Junior setter Melanie Appleman (Hyannis, Mass.) added 19 assists and 10 digs while classmate Tayler Beck (Marion, Mass.) registered eight kills, an ace and a solo block.

Clark won the opening two games of the match by scores of 25-17 and 25-21, and completed the sweep with a 25-20 victory in game three.

Freshman outside hitter Shannon Glass-Smythe (Albuquerque, N.M.) paced the Cougars (1-1) with 11 kills and nine digs, while junior setter Rachel Spera (North Hollywood, Calif.) chipped in with 20 assists, six digs and two aces.  Clark registered 12 aces in the match.

In the Bears' second match of the day, UNE breezed to a 25-7 game one win and never looked back.  The Nor'Easters (2-0) won by scores of 25-19 and 25-21 in games two and three, respectively.

Appleman finished with 16 assists and five digs in the loss to UNE, while Beck notched nine kills and junior libero Kristen Robillard (Swansea, Mass.) added 14 digs.

Senior middle hitter Paige Curran (Chelmsford, Mass.) led the hosts with ten kills, three aces and two blocks (one solo).  Senior outside hitter Jill Goldstein (Lynnfield, Mass.) added seven kills for UNE and junior setter Maria Kuehl (Middleton, N.H) notched 24 assists and eight digs.

In upcoming action, Bridgewater travels to Curry College next Thursday night for a six o'clock match with the Colonels.