NEWPORT, R.I. - Sophomore Clare Adams (New Concord, Ohio) recorded the game's only double-double, compiling a match-high 10 kills and 11 digs to lead Salve Regina to a 3-0 (25-12, 25-11, 25-15) sweep of Wentworth during the opening round of the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament at the Rodgers Recreation Center on Halloween night. With the win, the Seahawks have tied the program record for victories in a season, improving to 16-13 on the year, while the Leopards, under first-year head coach, end their season at 8-16.
Adams led the way with her double-double, while freshman Leah LoConte (Marshfield, Mass.) dished out a team-best 15 assists, adding a pair of service aces. Sophomore Jennifer Duggan (Merrimack, N.H.) also played well, recording five kills and nine digs, while sophomore Tara Kuck (Huntington Station, N.Y.) compiled five kills during just one set of action.
Sophomore Shannon Ponce (San Jose, Calif.) stood out for the Leopards, leading all players with 17 assists on the night, while also adding eight digs. Junior Michelle Hobbs (Northwood, N.H.) had a team-high six kills, while senior Julie Rahilly (Nashua, N.H.) compiled five kills to go along with eight digs in the loss.
The two teams battled to a 7-7 tie early in the first set, when the Seahawks broke away with a 7-0 run led by a pair of aces from senior Sarah Showalter (East Lyme, Conn.) and two kills by Adams to take a 14-7 lead. After scoring the next point to close the gap to 14-8, the Leopards saw the Seahawks close the frame on an 11-4 run, 25-12.
Trailing 4-1 early in the second set, the Leopards battled back to take three of the next four points to get back within one at 5-4. However, the Seahawks responded with a 15-2 run, opening up a 20-6 lead before eventually cruising to take the middle frame, 25-11.
The Seahawks and Leopards traded points on their way to a 7-7 tie to start the third stanza. Once again, the Seahawks took control with a big run, earning 13 of the next 16 points to take a 20-10 advantage. From there, the Seahawks received a pair of kills by Duggan down the stretch to help seal the set, 25-15, and the match, 3-0.
The Seahawks advance to face second-seeded Endicott in Beverly, Mass. tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the semifinal round.
(Recap Courtesy of Salve Regina Sports Information)
