BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University volleyball team picked up its first win of the season as the Bears downed visiting Suffolk University, 3-0, on Thursday evening at the Tinsley Center.
The Bears (1-4) won the first set 25-16 and then edged the visiting Rams (1-2) in the second and third sets, 25-22 and 25-23.
Junior outside hitter Hannah Maymon (Narragansett, R.I.) paced Bridgewater State with ten kills, 14 digs and an ace. Junior setter Charleyne Panner (Gilford, N.H.) chipped in with 27 assists, seven digs, three digs and a pair of assisted blocks, while senior middle hitter Julie Hutchins (Bellingham, Mass.) added six kills, an ace and four solo blocks. Freshman libero Cassidy Tyros (Chelmsford, Mass.) led all players with 20 digs.
Freshman outside hitter Talia Lombardo (Windham, N.H.) led the way for the Rams with six kills, three aces and 13 digs. Freshman middle hitter Bridget Allison (Westford, Mass.) added eight kills, while sophomore setter Liz Kerek (Holbrook, Mass.) tallied 16 assists and freshman libero Emma Feeney (Monroe, Conn.) notched 16 digs.
After cruising to a 25-16 win in the opening set, the Bears had to fend off the Rams in sets two and three. Suffolk held a 21-20 lead late in the third set before Bridgewater took advantage of three Ram miscues and rallied for the 25-23 win and a sweep of the match. Maymon recorded four of her match-best ten kills in the final set.
The two teams combined for 20 serving errors in the match. The Bears posted a .144 hitting percentage while the Rams struggled on the attack posting a .072 mark.
The Bears will compete at the Wildcat Classic hosted by Johnson & Wales University on Friday and Saturday. The Rams travel to Standish, Maine for a tri-match with Norwich University and host Saint Joseph's College.