Volleyball Drops 3-0 Decision to Westfield State

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Westfield State University women's volleyball team picked up its first win of the 2018 campaign as the visiting Owls posted a 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-18) victory over Bridgewater State University on Saturday afternoon at the Tinsley Center.

The Owls improve to 1-12 on the season and 1-1 in the MASCAC, while the host Bears fall to 1-6 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

Senior middle hitter Brianna Starkey (Rockland, Mass.) paced the visitors with a game-high 14 kills and a .423 hitting percentage. Starkey also added three aces, four digs and an assisted block.

Junior setter Ally Rega (Chelmsford, Mass.) checked in with a match-best 35 assists as well as two kills and eight digs, while sophomore libero Jess Haradon (Mansfield, Mass.) tallied 17 digs. Junior outside hitter Natasha Belardo (Springfield, Mass.) contributed 11 digs and seven digs, while junior middle hitter Hanna Simpkins (Walpole, N.H.) and freshman outside hitter Ashley Crowley (Billerica, Mass.) notched nine kills apiece.

The Owls posted a team hitting percentage of .311 with eight aces and nine serving errors.

Senior outside hitter Kayla Baril (Seekonk, Mass.) led Bridgewater State with eight kills and a .412 hitting percentage. Sophomore right side hitter Alexis Duarte (Fairhaven, Mass.) added six kills to go along with eight digs, while junior middle hitter Erin Clifford (Hanson, Mass.) also registered six kills. Senior setter Picabo Miskiv (Barnstable, Mass.) and sophomore setter Casey Holmes (Norton, Mass.) combined for 14 assists, and senior libero Cassidy Tyros (Chelmsford, Mass.) recorded 11 digs.

The Bears posted a team hitting percentage of .130 with three aces and five serving errors.

In upcoming action, the Bears travel to Mass. Maritime Academy on Wednesday night for a seven o'clock MASCAC match with the Buccaneers, while the Owls travel to Bay Bath on Monday night to take on the at eight.