SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 8, 2024) – The Western New England women's volleyball team opened the night by honoring their seven seniors with an opening set win. However, they fell behind and dropped the second set, unable to recover, ultimately losing the four-set match to the Garnet Chargers of Union College by a final score of 3-1.

Records:

• Western New England: 19-7
• Union College (N.Y.): 19-8

How it Happened: 

Western New England got off to a quick start, leading 8-3 in the first set. Yemayma Molina, Isabelle Petty, and Alissa Hawes collected kills for the Golden Bears, while Taylor Geist contributed a service ace to get the team off to the start they were looking for. The Garnet Chargers mounted a comeback, scoring six of the next seven points to close WNE's seven-point lead at 12-5 (following a Léa Barber kill) to a 13-10 lead, still in favor of the Golden Bears. Western New England kept attacking and continued to score as Petty, Barber, and Hawes each added kills. Union brought the set closer at 23-21 before Barber picked up a big point for WNE, moving to set point at 24-21. Union scored the next two points, but the Golden Bears secured a 25-23 victory in the opening set following a bad set from the Garnet Chargers. Western New England swatted down 18 kills out of the 25 points in the first set while hitting .239%. Union was also effective in the set, hitting .270% with 13 kills.

The second set initially favored Western New England, with Alissa Hawes dropping two kills and Isabelle Petty and Taylor Geist each scoring points, leading 4-2. Union then put together a string of eight straight points, their largest run, wiping away Western New England's 6-4 lead and turning it into a 12-6 Union advantage. The Golden Bears closed within three points twice, thanks to a block from Hawes and Yemayma Molina, while Léa Barber continued an excellent night. The Golden Bears picked up five of six points to trail 23-21 and got within one at 24-23, but Union ended the second set with their 25th point on an error by WNE, evening the match at one. Western New England recorded 15 more kills and hit .176% in the second set.

The third set began in favor of Western New England but quickly turned against the home team. WNE took the first three points of the set before Union responded with the next four. Western New England answered with three straight points to lead 6-4. From there, the Garnet Chargers took control, as Union's Allie Kronenberg served flawlessly, racking up seven consecutive points, including two service aces, to give Union a 13-8 lead. The Garnet Chargers continued their run, scoring eight of the next nine points, building a 15-2 streak for a commanding 21-10 lead. The Golden Bears fought back, with Becca Mayer picking up back-to-back service aces, but it wasn't enough, as Union finished off the set 25-17, taking a 2-1 match lead. The Golden Bears managed only eight kills in the third set and committed seven attacking errors. WNE collected three service aces, though Union had five.

In the fourth set, both teams fought hard, exchanging the first five points overall. Isabelle Petty delivered a kill, and an attacking error gave the Golden Bears an early 4-2 lead. Union responded with three straight points, followed by three from Western New England, including a kill from Léa Barber. WNE held their lead until Union evened the score at 16, 17, and 18, and then began to pull away, scoring four straight points after trailing 20-18 to take a 22-20 lead. The Garnet Chargers finished off the Golden Bears in four sets, as Maddie McCarron closed the match with a 25-22 fourth set victory, sealing a 3-1 win.

Inside the Lines:

• WNE recorded ten kills in the fourth set but could not hold off Union's 13 kills and two blocks, which secured the victory for Union.
• Léa Barber, Isabelle Petty, and Yemayma Molina each collected double-digit kills for Western New England. Petty hit .241% for the match, Barber .125%, and Molina .200%.
• Taylor Geist recorded four kills, 40 total assists, and 15 digs for WNE.
• WNE totaled 100 digs in the match, with Alissa Hawes (26) and Becca Mayer (25) leading the way.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will play their biggest match of the season on Saturday afternoon at Gordon College with playoff implications on the line.