Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 NORTON, Mass.--Juniors Olivia Lathrop and Kelsey Armstrong paced the Western New England University offense with 33 and 32 kills, respectively, as the Golden Bears took two of three matches to open the season Saturday at the Wheaton College Lyons Volleyball Invitational at Emerson Gymnasium. Western New England defeated host Wheaton 25-27, 25-14, 25-22, 28-26 and Westfield State 25-8, 25-18, 25-21 before losing a five-set thriller at the hands of Neumann 31-29, 21-25, 14-25, 25-15, 15-5.

Sophomore setter Jessica Sincero and Lathrop earned spots on the Invitational's all-tournament team. Sincero racked up 60 assists, 11 kills, eight service aces and 27 digs in 12 sets on the day.

Against the Lyons, WNE spotted Wheaton the opening set before rattling off the next three to come from behind. Lathrop led the way with 11 kills and .360 hitting (only 2 errors in 25 attack attempts) and Armstrong added 10. In the fourth set, Lathrop spiked a kill to clinch match point at 28-26.

In the second match versus the Owls, Lathrop and Armstrong each pounded 11 kills as WNE hit .284 as a team. The Golden Bears set the tone early by taking the first set by a 17-point margin, outhitting WSU .579 to minus-130.

Tired legs began to take its toll on the Golden Bears by the time they squared off against eventual Invitational champion Neumann. The Knights--who escaped with a 31-29 first-set victory--fell behind 2 sets to 1 before mounting their comeback. Armstrong and Lathrop recorded 10 kills apiece and senior Kasey Cameron chipped in nine.

"The team really worked well together today, communicating well on the court, working together and supporting each other throughout the whole day," said WNE coach Bret Stothart. "That togetherness is the foundation of our team this year and will continue to help us reach our goals as the season continues."

Senior All-America libero Grace Kucharski compiled 55 digs for the Golden Bears, who return to the court Wednesday versus visiting Johnson & Wales (R.I.) and then next Friday and Saturday for their own WNE Invitational featuring Western Connecticut State as well as Elms and Smith colleges at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

Also represented on the all-tournament team were Carolyn Cote, Sarah Green of Westfield State, Kelsey D'Imperio, Elaina Shooster of Neumann and Deirdre Wilson from Wheaton.