Junior outside hitter compiles 11 digs, ten service aces, eight kills and three block assists as Western New England wins third straight match

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 6, 2016) – The Western New England University volleyball team overcame a tough opening set to earn a 3-1 (14-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-18) non-conference victory over Wheaton College this evening at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

Top Performers
• Junior outside hitter Emmaline Chiodini (Saint Louis, Mo.) compiled an impressive ten service aces on her way to a match-high 19.5 points. Chiodini also recorded eight kills, 11 digs, and three block assists, all of which were tied for the team lead.
• Senior setter Jenna Leuck (Dumont, N.J.) continued her strong play with a match-high 21 assists, 11 digs and four aces.
• Junior middle hitter Carly Skibinski (Milford, N.J.) contributed eight kills on a .400 hitting percentage after making just two errors in 15 total attempts. Skibinski also recorded three block assists.

• Sophomore outside hitter Cathryn MacGregor (North Andover, Mass.) paced the Lyons with eight kills and ten digs.

Match Review
• Wheaton benefited from Western New England's -.125 hitting percentage in the opening set, as the visitors cruised to a 25-14 win to open up a 1-0 lead in the match.
• The Golden Bears bounced back in the second set, using a 6-2 run midway through the frame to turn a 10-8 lead into a 16-10 cushion. Wheaton was unable to get closer than four points the rest of the way.
• Western New England took control early in the third set, opening up a 7-3 lead with the help of a 6-0 run, but the Lyons stayed within striking distance and pulled to within two points (17-15) following a kill by MacGregor. The Golden Bears closed the set out with an 8-0 run, however, which included four aces from Chiodini and two kills from Skibinski.
• Western New England trailed 11-7 early in the fourth set, before reeling off seven straight points to go up 14-11. The Golden Bears pulled away late to secure the 3-1 victory.

Notes
• Chiodini has recorded 21 aces over her first four matches with the Golden Bears.
• Western New England has won three straight matches since its opening night, five-set loss to WPI last Thursday.
• The Golden Bears committed just 12 attack errors in 82 total attempts over the final three sets after making ten in the opening frame (32 attempts).

Up Next
Western New England (3-1) returns to action with a trio of matches on Saturday, as the Golden Bears are set to host Anna Maria College, Elms College and Emerson College as part of the Western New England Invitational at the Alumni Healthful Living Center. The Lyons (2-3) return home to host the Wheaton Invitational on Friday and Saturday, with their first match coming Friday afternoon against Emmanuel.