BOSTON, Mass. (November 4, 2026) – The Western New England University women's volleyball team earned a 3-1 victory over Suffolk University on Wednesday at Smith Court, taking the match by set scores of 25-23, 25-16, 24-26 and 25-19. The Golden Bears used a decisive second-set run and a strong finish in the fourth to secure the road win.

Records:
Western New England: 7-16, 2-7 CNE 
Suffolk University: 10-15, 0-9 CNE

How It Happened:

First Set: Western New England 25, Suffolk 23

• Western New England opened with a 2-0 advantage and built an early 8-4 lead, prompting a Suffolk timeout.
• Suffolk worked back into the set and pulled even at 10-10 before moving in front, 11-10. The teams continued to trade points, reaching a 13-13 tie.
• The Golden Bears created separation with a three-point stretch that included two Evelyn Taylor service aces, moving ahead 16-13.
• Western New England extended its advantage to 23-18, but Suffolk answered with five straight points to close within one at 24-23.
• Lea Barber finished the set with a kill off an Ellie Ross assist, giving the Golden Bears a 25-23 opening-set win.

Second Set: Western New England 25, Suffolk 16

• The teams were even at 3-3 before Suffolk scored twice to take a 5-3 lead.
• Western New England responded with five consecutive points to move ahead 8-5. Barber contributed a kill and a service ace during the run, while Charlei Henkel also recorded a kill.
• The Golden Bears maintained control and pushed the margin to 10-6, then carried a 17-13 advantage into the middle stages of the set.
• A four-point run, highlighted by blocks from Kendra Robayo and Katie Garland, helped Western New England stretch its lead to 21-13.
• The Golden Bears closed out the set, 25-16, taking a 2-0 lead in the match.

Third Set: Suffolk 26, Western New England 24

• Suffolk scored the opening point, but Western New England moved in front 5-3 before the visitors answered with three straight points to take a 6-5 lead.
• The Golden Bears regained momentum and built an 11-8 advantage, with contributions from Barber, Robayo and Morgan Bonin.
• Suffolk rallied to tie the set at 11-11, and the teams continued to trade points through a 16-16 deadlock.
• The Rams took a late lead and moved ahead 22-19 before reaching set point at 24-21.
• Western New England fought back to even the score at 24-24, but a service error and a Suffolk kill gave the Rams a 26-24 win and extended the match.

Fourth Set: Western New England 25, Suffolk 19

• Western New England established a 6-3 lead, but Suffolk answered with four consecutive points to move in front 7-6.
• The Golden Bears quickly leveled the set at 7-7, and the teams remained close through a 12-12 tie.
• Robayo helped spark a key stretch at the net as Western New England scored four straight points to take a 16-13 lead.
• The Golden Bears continued to build the advantage, moving ahead 20-16 and then 22-16. Henkel recorded two kills during the stretch, while Katie Garland added a service ace.
• Western New England maintained its lead to the finish, closing the set 25-19 to secure the 3-1 match victory.

Key Performances:

• Lea Barber led the Golden Bears with 15 kills, nine digs and two service aces, while Charlei Henkel also recorded 15 kills and added 13 digs.
• Kendra Robayo provided a strong presence at the net, finishing with six kills on nine attempts without an error (.667 hitting percentage), along with three solo blocks and six block assists.
• Evelyn Taylor paced the defensive effort with 17 digs and added three service aces. Ellie Ross distributed 19 assists, while Madison Stauss added 14 assists.
• As a team, Western New England recorded 45 kills and hit .206, compared with Suffolk's 53 kills and .122 hitting percentage. The Golden Bears also held a 20-9 advantage in total blocks.

Up Next:
The Golden Bears return home for their final match of the season on Saturday, November 7, when they host Roger Williams University at 1 p.m.