SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — October 3, 2026 — Western New England University battled back from a pair of early-set deficits to claim the third set, but the University of New England answered with a strong fourth set to secure a 3-1 Commonwealth Coast Conference victory over the Golden Bears Saturday afternoon at the Anthony S. Caprio Alumni Healthful Living Center. UNE took the match by scores of 25-15, 25-18, 14-25 and 25-20.

Records:
Western New England: 3-11, 0-2 CNE
University New England: 5-5, 1-1 CNE

How It Happened:

Set 1 — UNE 25, WNE 15

• UNE established an early advantage, opening an 8-3 lead before the Golden Bears began to chip away.
• Western New England pulled within 11-10 following a service ace from Hilarie Porcaro, a UNE attack error and a bad set by the Nor'Easters.
• UNE responded with a series of kills from Hannah Nowell and Hayley Shult to regain control and extend its lead.
• WNE remained within striking distance at 18-14 and 19-15, but UNE scored six of the final seven points to take the opening set, 25-15.

• The Golden Bears came out with a stronger start, scoring the first two points of the set and later holding a 7-6 advantage.
• UNE answered with a run to move in front, but WNE continued to stay within reach. Charlei Henkel provided several key kills during the middle portion of the set as the Golden Bears battled from behind.
• WNE trimmed the deficit to 19-14 and later 20-15 before scoring three straight points to pull within 20-18.
• UNE closed the set with five consecutive points, taking a 2-0 match lead with a 25-18 victory.

• Facing a two-set deficit, Western New England responded with its strongest offensive performance of the afternoon.
• The Golden Bears quickly built a 5-1 lead behind kills from Henkel, Evelyn Taylor and Morgan Bonin, along with a Taylor service ace.
• WNE maintained its advantage throughout the set, pushing its lead to 12-6 before extending it to 18-8.
• UNE attempted to slow the Golden Bears' momentum, but WNE continued to find points from Henkel, Ellie Ross, Taylor and Laney Melvin.
• The Golden Bears closed out the set, 25-14, scoring seven of the final 11 points to force a fourth set. WNE hit .450 as a team in the third set, its best attacking percentage of the match.

• UNE answered immediately in the fourth set, taking an early 8-4 lead.
• Western New England continued to battle, with kills from Henkel, Melvin and Taylor helping the Golden Bears remain within striking distance.
• WNE eventually pulled even at 14-14, setting up a competitive finish.
• UNE regained the lead and maintained a narrow advantage through the latter stages of the set. The Nor'Easters moved ahead 20-18 before scoring five of the final seven points to close out the match, 25-20.

Key Performances:

• Henkel led the Golden Bears offensively with 16 kills on 42 attacks, hitting .262 while adding two blocks and 17.0 points. She was particularly important during WNE's third-set response, contributing multiple kills as the Golden Bears built and maintained their advantage.
• Ross directed the offense with 17 assists and added four service aces, while also contributing three kills and eight points. Her service pressure helped WNE build momentum during its third-set victory.
• Katie Garland and Morgan Bonin each contributed four kills, while Kendra Robayo added four kills on four attacks. Evelyn Taylor added three service aces and nine digs.
• For UNE, Nowell paced the Nor'Easters with 18 kills while hitting .400, finishing with 20.0 points. Tess Madden added 17 kills and 18.0 points, while Hayley Shult recorded 18 assists.
• As a team, UNE finished with 48 kills compared to 35 for WNE and held advantages in assists, digs and blocks. The Golden Bears countered with 10 service aces to UNE's six.

Up Next:

The Golden Bears return to action Wednesday, October 7, traveling to Dudley, Massachusetts, for a Commonwealth Coast Conference matchup against Nichols College at 6 p.m.