MILTON, Mass. – Curry College closely battled Newbury College in all three sets, but fell to the visiting Nighthawks 3-0 in non-conference volleyball action Thursday night in Milton. Set scores were 27-25, 25-15, 25-21. The Colonels slipped to 4-13 overall, while Newbury improved to 10-6.
The two teams went back and forth in the first set, with neither squad establishing a lead larger than four points. With Curry leading 20-16, the Nighthawks notched 11 of the final 16 points to secure the 27-25 win. Newbury raced out to a 9-1 lead in the second set and outscored the hosts 16-14 the rest of the way. The third set mimicked the opening set, as neither team opened a lead larger than three points until the Nighthawks overcame an 18-15 deficit to prevail by four.
Newbury was led by freshman Maya Umoren (Quincy, Mass.), who totaled a match-best 13 kills. Classmate Heather Parish (Tucson, Ariz.) dished out match highs in assists (29) and aces (4). Senior Meghan McDermott (Hampton, N.H.) recorded a match-best 26 digs.
Freshman Nicole Rice (Woburn, Mass.) led Curry with five kills and two solo blocks. Sophomore classmates Makayla Hughes (Franklin, N.H.) and Nicole Grambley (No. Attleboro, Mass.) recorded 10 and six assists, respectively. Grambley also added 10 digs and three aces. Freshman Courtney Carroll (Fairhaven, Mass.) contributed a team high 18 digs. Classmate Taylor Faieta (Lynn, Mass.) chipped in with 10 digs.
Both teams return to action this Saturday with the Colonels traveling to Pine Manor College for a tri-match, starting at 11:00 a.m. against Pine Manor, followed by a match-up with Mass Maritime at 1:00 p.m. Newbury hosts New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) foe Bay Path College at noon.
