SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 24, 2026) — The Western New England University women's volleyball team fell to Wentworth Institute of Technology, 3-0, on Saturday afternoon at the Anthony S. Caprio Alumni Healthful Living Center. The Leopards secured the Conference of New England victory with set scores of 25-14, 25-14 and 25-14, using an efficient offensive attack to limit the Golden Bears' opportunities throughout the match.

Records:
Western New England: 5-15 (1-6 CNE);
Wentworth Institute of Technology: 14-9 (6-1 CNE)

How It Happened:

Set One: Wentworth 25, Western New England 14

• Wentworth established an early advantage, scoring the first three points before a kill from Morgan Bonin put the Golden Bears on the board. Western New England responded with kills from Léa Barber and Evelyn Taylor, but the Leopards maintained control.

• The Golden Bears stayed within reach early, with Barber connecting on a pair of kills and Bonin adding another to help WNE reach seven points. Wentworth continued to find openings, however, building its lead through kills from Kate McLane and Savannah Morford.

• Western New England showed signs of a response midway through the set. Barber contributed a kill, and the Golden Bears added points on a Wentworth service error and a kill from Bonin to make it 11-6.

• Wentworth answered with another scoring push, using its attack to extend the margin. WNE earned points through a Barber service ace and additional kills from Taylor and Bonin, but the Leopards kept the Golden Bears at arm's length.

• Wentworth closed the opening set, 25-14, after producing 13 kills against one attack error. The Golden Bears recorded eight kills but were held to a .031 hitting percentage.

Set Two: Wentworth 25, Western New England 14

• Western New England opened the second set with a kill from Charlei Henkel, but Wentworth quickly moved ahead. The teams traded points early, with Bonin and Barber recording kills to keep WNE in the contest.

• The Leopards gradually created separation behind their attacking efficiency. McLane and Morford provided consistent offense, while Wentworth's setters helped generate scoring opportunities across the front line.

• WNE continued to find points through Barber, Henkel and Kendra Robayo. A pair of service aces from Katie Garland also helped the Golden Bears stay engaged, bringing the score to 7-6 before Wentworth extended its advantage.

• The Golden Bears put together another stretch of offense later in the set. Henkel and Robayo contributed kills, while Barber added a service ace and a kill to help WNE reach 12 points.

• Wentworth finished the set with a 25-14 win, recording 16 kills on 27 attempts with just one error for a .556 hitting percentage. Western New England totaled eight kills and hit .115.

Set Three: Wentworth 25, Western New England 14

• The third set began with Wentworth taking the first two points, but WNE responded to even the score at 2-2. Henkel and Barber contributed kills as the Golden Bears worked to remain within striking distance.

• Wentworth regained the lead and gradually widened the gap, using kills from McLane, Morford and Emma Sanders to maintain its offensive rhythm. Western New England continued to answer with points from Barber and Henkel.

• Barber and Henkel each added kills as the Golden Bears looked to build momentum, while Laney Melvin recorded a service ace. WNE reached 10 points and remained competitive through the middle portion of the set.

• Western New England continued to produce offense late, with Henkel recording another kill and Cassie Durocher adding one of her own. Ellie Ross and Barber also contributed to the Golden Bears' scoring effort.

• Wentworth closed out the set, 25-14, completing the sweep. The Leopards recorded 16 kills with one error in the final set, while WNE finished with seven kills and a .172 hitting percentage.

Key Performances:

• Léa Barber led Western New England with eight kills and added two service aces, nine digs and 10 points. Her offensive production helped the Golden Bears stay within reach during stretches of all three sets.

• Morgan Bonin and Charlei Henkel each finished with five kills. Bonin added five points, while Henkel recorded eight digs and contributed across the front and back rows.

• Kendra Robayo recorded five kills without an attack error on 10 attempts, finishing with a team-best .500 hitting percentage among WNE's primary attackers.

• Madison Stauss led the Golden Bears with 10 assists, while Ellie Ross added nine assists. Evelyn Taylor finished with nine digs and a service ace.

• Kate McLane paced Wentworth with 15 kills on 26 attempts, committing just one error for a .538 hitting percentage. Savannah Morford added eight kills without an error, while Emma Sanders recorded seven kills and three block assists.

• Wentworth's offensive efficiency proved decisive. The Leopards finished with 45 kills and three errors on 85 attempts for a .494 hitting percentage, compared with Western New England's 23 kills and 14 errors on 87 attempts for a .103 mark.
• Wentworth also held advantages in assists, 44-19, and digs, 44-35. The Golden Bears recorded six service aces, while the Leopards finished with eight.

Up Next:

The Golden Bears return to the Anthony S. Caprio Alumni Healthful Living Center on Wednesday, Oct. 28, when they host Dean College at 7 p.m.