BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University women's volleyball team split a tri-match with Wheaton College and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon.  The Bears downed Wheaton, 3-2, and dropped a 3-0 decision to Western Connecticut.  West Conn finished with a sweep as the Colonials defeated Wheaton, 3-0.

With the split Bridgewater is now 8-11 on the season, while West Conn improves to 15-10 with the sweep.  Wheaton falls to 8-17 with the two losses.

Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Mullarkey (Salem, Mass.) and junior middle hitter Michelle Atkins (Chelsea, Mass.) paced Bridgewater in the come-from-behind win over the Lyons.  The Bears trailed 3-1 after two sets, but rebounded with a 25-16 win in set four and a tough 16-14 decision in the deciding fifth set.

Mullarkey tallied seven kills, six assists, four digs and one ace, while Atkins finished with eight kills, a .429 hitting percentage and four blocks (two solo).  Junior setter Melanie Appleman (Hyannis, Mass.) added 20 assists, 15 digs and one ace and junior outside hitter Danielle Dean (Gilford, N.H.) chipped in with eight kills, 15 digs and an ace.

Freshman middle hitter Julie Hutchins (Bellingham, Mass.) also played well in the win over wheaton as she tallied seven kills, a .385 hitting percentage and a pair of blocks.

In the loss to West Conn, freshman outside hitter Carolyn Morin (Marstons Mills, Mass.) led the way with seven kills and three digs.  Dean notched three kills and 14 digs, while Appleman added 11 assists and eight digs.  Mullarkey recorded four aces against the Colonials as well as four assists, six digs and a pair of kills.

In upcoming action, Bridgewater travels to MASCAC rival Worcester State University on Tuesday night at seven.

Match One: Bridgewater State 3, Wheaton 2 (18-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-16, 16-14);  Match Two: Western Connecticut State 3, Wheaton 0 (25-21, 26-24, 25-19); Match Three: Western Connecticut State 3, Bridgewater State 0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-11)

Team Records: Western Connecticut (15-10), Bridgewater State (8-11), Wheaton (8-17)