Leopards Finish Off Regular Season With Loss at Simmons

BOSTON, Mass. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology women's volleyball team closed out their regular season schedule with a 3-1 loss at Simmons University Thursday evening.

RECORDS

• Wentworth (15-13)
• Simmons (16-6)

WENTWORTH STAT LEADERS:

• Kills – Helen Barthe, 5; Viviann Goulet, 5; Devin Neal, 4; Lauren Edmiston, 4
• Assists – Lexi Zabloudil, 13; Ashley Cao, 4; Megan Davies, 4
• Digs – Helen Barthe, 10; Megan Davies, 7
• Blocks – Lauren Edmiston, 4; Abby Maher, 4; Devin Neal, 3; Viviann Goulet, 2

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After falling behind 3-1 in the early going, a kill by senior Devin Neal (Loveland, Ohio) helped rally Wentworth for three straight points to take a 4-3 lead. After Simmons took the lead back, Neal provided an ace as part of four consecutive points to put the Leopards back in front. The Sharks answered with four straight of their own as the teams battled back and forth, but Wentworth went on to take a 14-12 lead following an ace by freshman Abby Maher (North Granby, Conn.) and kills by Neal and freshman Helen Barthe (Blythewood, S.C.). With the Leopards still holding a two point lead late in the set, Simmons went on a 5-1 run to take the lead. But Wentworth responded and went up 23-22 following a kill by Barthe and an ace from freshman Lexi Zabloudil (London, Ohio). The Sharks then came back with the three points they needed to close out the set and take a 1-0 lead in the match.
• The Sharks started strong in the second set, taking five of the first six points to begin the middle frame. A kill and ace from Neal pulled the Leopards closer, and the visitors eventually tied it at six following kills by Barthe and sophomore Lauren Edmiston (Hockessin, Del.). Simmons then took control of the set, going on a 12-2 run to extend their lead to double digits. With the Sharks holding a 22-12  lead, Wentworth went on a run of their own and got back in the set. Kills by Edmiston and junior Viviann Goulet (North Kingstown, R.I.) sparked a 6-1 run that pulled Wentworth to within five, but Simmons was able to holdoff the Leopards push, picking up two straight points to win the set 25-18 and go up 2-0.
• The Leopards jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third, trying to build early momentum in the set. They were unable to keep up the push though, as the Sharks won 14 of the following 15 points to take a commanding lead in the third. The Leopards, once again facing a double-digit deficit, came back strong for the second time. Zabloudil ran off three service aces and Neal provided a kill as part of seven straight Wentworth points to get within five. But the deficit was too large to overcome, as Simmons once again pulled away late to pick up a 25-16 victory to close out the match.

THE SERIES:

• This was the 21^st all-time meeting between the two programs, with the Leopards now holding a 14-7 record.

NEXT UP:

• This concludes the regular season for the Leopards. Wentworth will be hosting a Commonwealth Coast Conference Quarterfinal match Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. Pairings will be announced Saturday afternoon.

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