Volleyball Sweeps Pair of Matches at JWU Wildcat Classic

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Bridgewater State University women's volleyball team swept a pair of matches during day one of the Wildcat Classic hosted by Johnson & Wales University on Friday.

The Bears defeated the University of New England by a score of 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-16) in their opening match, and then posted a 3-1 decision (25-19, 28-26, 15-25, 25-22) over Rutgers-Newark.

With the two wins, Bridgewater State (9-9) extends its winning streak to eight matches.

Bridgewater State 3, U. of New England 0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-16)

In the win over UNE, junior outside hitter Hannah Maymon (Narragansett, R.I.) paced the Bears with nine kills, four aces, seven digs and an assisted block, while junior setter Charleyne Panner (Gilford, N.H.) notched 26 assists, two kills, a pair of aces and five digs. Senior middle hitter Julie Hutchins (Bellingham, Mass.) and junior middle hitter Sydney Bennett (North Attleboro, Mass.) each finished with eight kills and a .438 hitting percentage. Hutchins also added two solo blocks, while Bennett recorded three blocks including two solo.

The Bears posted a .329 hitting percentage and registered 11 aces in the win over the Nor'easters.

Bridgewater State 3, Rutgers-Newark 1 (25-19, 28-26, 15-25, 25-22)

Panner dished out 42 assists and added two kills, two aces, eight digs and three blocks (one solo). Maymon and Bennett checked in with 11 kills apiece, while senior outside hitter Clara Goncalves (Dennis, Mass.) tallied ten kills and freshman libero Cassidy Tyros (Chelmsford, Mass.) chipped in with 23 digs.

Bridgewater State finished with eight aces led by two each from Panner, Bennett and freshman defensive specialist Alyssa Kelley (Mansfield, Mass.). The Bears also posted a .211 hitting percentage.

With her 68 assists on the day, Panner now has 1,945 in three seasons with the Bears. Panner is looking to become just the sixth player in BSU volleyball history to reach the 2,000-assist milestone.

The two-day tournament concludes on Saturday as the Bears take on the University of Southern Maine at 10:00 AM and Rhode Island College at 2:00 PM.