Leopards Win Second Straight in 3-0 Victory Over Salem State

SALEM, Mass. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology women's volleyball team picked up its second victory in as many nights Thursday evening, as the Leopards defeated Salem State University 3-0.

RECORDS

• Wentworth (14-8, 5-1 CCC)
• Salem State (4-15)

WENTWORTH STAT LEADERS:

• Kills – Helen Barthe, 10; Devin Neal, 9; Ema Thompson, 9
• Assists – Lexi Zabloudil, 19; Chaise Kakuk, 18
• Digs – Shelby Seage, 12; Ema Thompson, 9; Sydney Brooke, 9
• Blocks – Helen Barthe, 2; Ema Thompson, 1; Abby Warren, 1

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After the teams played to a 3-3 tie early in the first, the Leopards went on a strong run to open up a lead. Wentworth won 10 of the next 11 points, including three kills from senior Devin Neal (Loveland, Ohio). The visitors held on to their nine point lead until late in the first, when they took the final six points of the set thanks to four kills from freshman Helen Barthe (Blythewood, S.C.) to earn a 25-9 win and take a 1-0 lead.
• A few early kills helped the Leoaprds jump out to a 3-0 in to start off the second set, but the Vikings came back to tie. A kill by Neal and a service ace from freshman Sydney Brooke (Chesapeake Beach, Md.) gave Wentworth the lead once again. Salem State kept things close and cut the score to 13-11, but two kills by Barthe along with a kill and an ace from freshman Ema Thompson (Lewiston, Idaho) were part of an 8-2 run to extend the Leopard lead to 21-13. The Vikings responded by winning fie of the next six points to get within four, but Wentworth got the three points they needed to close out the set with a 25-18 win, with junior Viviann Goulet (North Kingstown, R.I.) and sophomore Shelby Seage (Cocoa, Fla.) picking up kills in the process.
• Four early kills from Barthe got the Leopards rolling in the third set, as the visitors took a 9-2 lead. Back-to-back kills from Thompson extended the lead, and two kills from Neal were part of a 6-1 run that put the set out of reach. Goulet picked up two more late kills for Wentworth, as they coasted to a 25-9 victory in the third set to put the match away.

THE SERIES:

• This was the sixth time the two programs have met, with Wentworth now holding a 5-1 series lead.

NEXT UP:

• The Leopards take part in a tri-match Saturday, Oct. 16 in Babson Park, Mass. They first go up against Susquehanna University at 1:00 p.m., then face off with Stevens University at 3:30 p.m.

For the latest on Wentworth Athletics, follow the Leopards via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Wentworth Leopards "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.