Women's Volleyball Sweeps Tri-Match; Runs Win Streak to Six

BOSTON, Mass. – Emma Sanders (22) and Kate McLane (19) combined for 41 kills to help the Wentworth Institute of Technology women's volleyball team sweep a tri-match on Saturday and run its win streak to six matches. The Leopards defeated Emerson, 3-0, in the opening match of the day and swept Rivier, 3-0, in the last match of the day to stand at 7-2.

MATCH ONE:  Wentworth 3, Emerson 0
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After trailing 4-3 to open the first set, Wentworth went on an 11-1 run, taking a 14-5 lead after back-to-back kills from Riley Schoonmaker. During the run, Sanders was on the service line for seven straight points, which included a pair of service aces. Emerson cut the lead to 23-13, however, Sanders and Schoonmaker each recorded kills to end the first set, 25-13. The Leopards hit .310 as a team in the opening frame.
• The Lions jumped out to a 13-7 lead in the second set but after a service error made it 13-8, Wentworth scored six straight points to even the score at 13-all. Emerson scored the next two points to take a 15-13 lead but a service error gave the Black & Gold the serve, trailing 15-14. A pair of kills by Sanders and a pair of service aces from Ainsley Gregson helped give Wentworth a 20-15 lead and started an 11-1 run that put Wentworth at set point, 24-16. Emerson scored the next four points to come within four (24-20) but a service error gave the Leopards a 2-0 lead with a 25-20 win.
• Wentworth played catchup to start the third set, falling behind, 5-2, before a McLane kill started a 3-0 spurt that tied the set at 5-all. Trailing 16-15, Sanders recorded back-to-back kills and teamed up with Schoonmaker for a block which gave the Black & Gold the lead at 18-16. A Schoonmaker kill eventually made it 21-16. The Lions crept back in and trailed, 24-20, but McLane put a kill down to end the third set, 25-20, and give Wentworth the sweep.
• Sanders finished the match with 12 kills, four aces, six digs, and a pair of blocks. Schoonmaker had seven kills and four blocks, while McLane chipped in with six kills. Elena Davenport also recorded seven kills to go along with a pair of blocks. Olivia Vaughn dished out 29 assists and Amanda Zweifler had 13 digs.

MATCH TWO:  Wentworth 3, Rivier 0
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After surrendering the opening point of the first set, Wentworth went on a 12-1 run, taking a 12-2 lead after a Mika Swanson kill. After Rivier eventually cut the lead to 14-7, a Sanders kill started an 8-0 run which gave the Leopards a commanding 22-7 lead. The Raiders scored three of the next four points but the Black & Gold took a 1-0 lead with a 25-11 win in the first set.
• McLane put down a pair of kills and Zweifler served a pair of aces as the Leopards jumped out to a 4-0 lead to start the second set. The teams battled back and forth with the Leopards holding a 13-9 lead. A Schoonmaker kill started a 7-1 run that was capped off by a kill from McLane. Rivier scored the next three points to make it 20-13 but McLane and Swanson each had kills as part of three straight points, pushing the lead to 23-13 and the Black & Gold eventually took a 2-0 lead with a 25-14 win. The Leopards hit .375 as a team during the set.
• Wentworth opened the third set by leading, 5-2 but Rivier came back and tied the set at 7-all after a block. From there the Leopards took control, using a 14-5 run and took a 21-12 lead after a Sanders kill. After the Raiders ended the run with a kill of their own, Schoonmaker started a set-ending 4-1 spurt that gave Wentworth a 25-14 win in the third set and a clean sweep on the day.
• McLane paced the offense with 13 kills and hit .478 (13-2-23) Sanders chipped in with 10 kills and nine digs. Schoonmaker and Swanson each had seven kills, with Schoonmaker hitting .636 (7-0-11) and Swanson serving six aces. Vaughn had 34 assists and four aces, while Zweifler had 12 digs and six aces. Wentworth hit .400 as a team.

THE SERIES:

• Today was the 20th all-time meeting against Emerson  and eighth all-time meeting against Rivier.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth is at Lasell Wednesday night.

For the latest on Wentworth Athletics, follow the Leopards via social media on "X," Facebook and Instagram.