Volleyball Drops 3-1 Decision to Simmons

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Simmons College posted a 3-1 victory over host Bridgewater State University in non-conference women's volleyball action on Thursday night at the Tinsley Center in Bridgewater.

The visiting Sharks won the first two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-17 before the Bears extended the match with a 25-17 victory in the third game.  Simmons secured the win with a 25-22 decision in the fourth set after battling back from a 16-12 deficit.

Simmons improves to 13-10 on the season as the Sharks have won six straight matches.  The Bears fall to 7-10 overall with their fourth consecutive loss.

Simmons was led by senior outside hitter Kelly Last (West Haven, Conn.) and freshman middle hitter Raeann Nesta (Niantic, Conn.) who recorded 13 kills apiece.  Senior setter Rachel Dufault (Westport, Mass.) notched 35 assists, while senior middle hitter Caroline Boyd (Hampden, Mass.) finished with seven kills and four blocks (three solo).

The Sharks struggled with their serve in the match committing ten service errors, but were able to take advantage of having 41 more attack attempts. Both teams had nearly identical hitting percentages (.150 and .152), but Simmons finished with 44 kills compared to just 32 for Bridgewater.

Freshman outside hitter Carolyn Morin (Marstons Mills, Mass.) paced the Bears with ten kills and a .400 hitting percentage.  BSU middle hitters, junior Michelle Atkins (Chelsea, Mass.) and freshman Julie Hutchins (Bellingham, Mass.), chipped in with six kills apiece while Hutchins also added three blocks (one solo).

Bridgewater continued to play a strong defensive game as the Bears finished with 73 digs in the match with four players in double figures.  Junior outside hitter Danielle Dean (Gilford, N.H.) led the way with 18 digs, while junior setter Melanie Appleman registered ten.  Junior libero Kristen Robillard (Swansea, Mass.) and sophomore defensive specialist Lisa Vega (Milford, Mass.) finished with ten each. Appleman also posted a team-best 21 assists.

In upcoming action, Bridgewater hosts a tri-match with Wheaton College and Western Connecticut State University on Saturday beginning at noon.  Simmons travels to the University of Saint Joseph for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference tri-match with the host and Saint Joseph's College.