With the season’s last three weeks upon them, the UMass Boston volleyball team traveled to Gorham, Maine Wednesday, Oct. 23 for their first matchup against the lowly Southern Maine Huskies. The Huskies sat in last place of the LEC standings heading into the match, with an abysmal 5–17 record and a 0–4 conference record. A favorable matchup for the Beacons, and it proved to be just that.
The Huskies hung around early in the first set, keeping the game close. However, a 6–1 run started by Mya Perron gave the Beacons a 13–7 lead, and they never looked back. The Beacons followed up with a 9–0 run started by Dylan Wertzberger, giving themselves a commanding 22–9 lead, eventually winning set one 25–13.
Set two was the same story for the Beacons. They took the lead early on and refused to let it up. The largest lead for UMass Boston was a dominant 10 points as they cruised by, winning set two 25–16.
The Huskies turned desperate in set three, jumping to a 3–1 lead early. But the Beacons were quick to respond, taking the lead 5–4 off a kill by Perron. With the game tied, UMass Boston bolted on a 6–1 run to take a 14–9 lead.
One more punch from the Huskies shrunk the Beacons’ lead to one, but UMass Boston didn’t lie down, outscoring Southern Maine 4–1 in the final stages and securing a crucial sweep, 25–21.
The Beacons outscored the Huskies 53–25 with Perron leading the team with 14 kills on an astounding night for the team.
UMass Boston then traveled back home to host another conference rival, the Western Connecticut State Wolves, Saturday, Oct. 26. Western Connecticut had a solid record of 14–9, and a conference win against a strong opponent like the Beacons would make a substantial difference in their season.
The Beacons came out swinging in set one, breaking into an 11–1 run started by Mikayla Clearly to take a 22–8 lead. It was a complete domination in set one: a 25–11 win.
The Wolves set the tone in set two immediately. They jumped to a much needed 8–1 lead, and UMass Boston inched back, contracting Western Connecticut’s lead to three. The teams traded blows until the Wolves pulled away up six for a 17–11 lead. UMass Boston battled back, but it wasn’t enough, and they fell in set two 25–21.
The Beacons took this loss to heart and mauled Western Connecticut in set three, 25–12, hitting .517% on the offensive side of the ball. They took that momentum into set four, coming out firing on a 5–0 run, and holding a staggering 14–2 lead at the midpoint. The deficit was just too much for the Wolves, and the Beacons got their third consecutive win, 3–1.
Paige Coulson and Dylan Wertzberger led both teams in kills with 16 each. Mary Matthews had 26 digs as the Beacons outscored the Wolves 96–63.
The final home game for the Beacons will be Saturday, Nov. 9 against Eastern Connecticut State as UMass Boston looks ahead to the LEC Tournament.
This article appeared in print on Page 13 of Vol. LVIII Issue VI, published Nov. 4, 2024.
