WELLESLEY, Mass. - The WPI volleyball team posted a 3-2 victory over Wellesley College on the Blue's home turf, in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Saturday afternoon. After dropping the opening two sets, the Engineers rallied for the 3-2 victory, with set scores of 18-25, 20-25, 25-15, 25-20 and 15-11.
The win lifts WPI to 6-3 overall, 1-1 in NEWMAC play. The Blue fall to 5-3, 1-1 in NEWMAC action.
Wellesley captured the opening set, 25-18, behind five kills from Kellyn O'Brady and two three-point serving runs from Julia Adams. WPI took a 5-1 lead to begin the second game, but the Blue rebounded to take a 12-11 lead. After trading sideouts for several rallies, Wellesely closed out the game with a 6-1 run for the 25-20 win and a 2-0 lead in the match.
Game three belonged to WPI, as they scored early and often with a four-point serving run from Alyssa Findanza and a five-point run from Holly Ganser. The Engineers ramped up their defense as well, holding Wellesley to just five kills in route to a 25-15 win.
In set four WPI continued to control Wellesley's offense, once again holding the Blue to only five kills in the game. Findanza, meanwhile, accounted for two more lengthy serving runs that led to a 19-11 WPI lead. Wellesley responded with a late charge, but the Engineers managed to tie the match at 2-2 with a 25-20 win.
In the fifth and deciding game WPI jumped to an early lead, taking an 8-4 lead into the side-change. Wellesley cut the lead to 11-9, but could get no closer as the Engineers held on for a 15-11 win.
WPI was led by Kerrin Beovich and Elyssa Dorenfield who tallied 14 kills each. Beovich added two blocks, while Bailey Sarber picked up 12 kills. Joan Porambo led the way with 27 digs, while Alyssa Fidanza added 16. Splitting the setting duties, Kim Woodward tallied 27 assists, with Alex Rangel picking up 21.
For Wellesley, Caitlin Laughlin recorded 11 kills, while O'Brady added seven. Hilary Ayers dished out 28 assists, while Traci Hamanaka picked up 19 digs. Rounding out the stat sheet for the Blue, Amanda Duritsch talled three blocks.
Both teams continue conference play on Tuesday. WPI hosts Babson at 7:00pm, while Wellesley travels to MIT also at 7:00pm.
