CLAREMONT, Calif. — The Western New England University women's volleyball team fell to Carleton College, 3-0, Friday afternoon at Voelkel Gymnasium, as the Golden Bears dropped the opening match of the Pacific Coast Classic by set scores of 25-19, 25-8 and 25-19.
Records
Western New England: 1-1, 0-0 CNE
Carleton College: 1-1, 0-0 MIAC
How It Happened
Set One
- The Golden Bears opened the match with a competitive first set, as Western New England and Carleton combined for four lead changes. The Golden Bears found early offensive success through Barber, who paced the attack with six kills in the opening frame. Western New England also received contributions from Ellie Ross and Morgan Bonin as the Golden Bears looked to establish their offensive rhythm.
- Carleton, however, responded with an efficient attack of its own. The Knights registered 18 kills on 34 attacks while committing just five errors, finishing the opening set with a .382 hitting percentage. The efficiency gave Carleton an offensive advantage as the set progressed, while Western New England finished with eight kills and four errors on 29 attacks.
- The Golden Bears remained within striking distance, but Carleton ultimately secured the opening frame, 25-19, to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
Set Two
- Carleton carried its offensive efficiency into the second set, putting together its strongest statistical performance of the match. The Knights recorded 10 kills on 21 attacks while committing just two errors, producing a .381 hitting percentage.
- Western New England faced a tougher offensive stretch in the frame, recording three kills while committing nine errors on 21 attacks. Carleton's combination of efficient attacking and pressure at the net allowed the Knights to create a sizable advantage and maintain control of the set.
- The Golden Bears continued to battle but were unable to generate the offensive production needed to close the gap. Carleton finished the frame with a 25-8 victory, moving within one set of completing the sweep.
Set Three
- Western New England responded with its best offensive performance of the match in the third set, producing 12 kills on 37 attacks. The Golden Bears also improved their hitting percentage considerably from the second set, finishing the frame at .162.
- Barber continued to lead the Golden Bears' attack, adding four kills in the third set to bring her match total to 14. She also contributed defensively throughout the afternoon, finishing with 11 digs, while Charlei Henkel added eight digs for Western New England.
- Carleton remained effective offensively in the deciding frame, recording 14 kills on 37 attacks. The Knights finished the set with a .243 hitting percentage and received an efficient performance from Alexis Ormsby, who finished the match with 11 kills without an error on 16 attacks.
- Despite the Golden Bears' improved offensive production and continued effort in the final set, Carleton held on for a 25-19 victory to complete the three-set sweep.
Key Performances
- Barber led the Golden Bears with 14 kills on 33 attacks, adding 11 digs, three blocks and one service ace for 16.5 points. Ellie Ross contributed nine assists, while Morgan Bonin and Kendra Robayo each added 2.5 points. Charlei Henkel recorded eight digs, and Western New England finished the match with 34 digs as a team.
- Carleton received a balanced offensive effort, led by Ellewyn Swafford's 10 kills on 15 attacks without an error for a .667 hitting percentage. Alexis Ormsby added 11 kills on 16 attacks without an error, hitting .688, while Rachel Bingham finished with seven kills and 10 digs. Setter Megan Smith recorded 31 assists, and Madeleine Dimitre led all players with 21 digs.
- As a team, Carleton hit .326 for the match compared to .046 for Western New England. The Knights also held advantages in kills, 42-23, and digs, 42-34.
- The match marked the first meeting between the programs, with Carleton taking a 1-0 lead in the all-time series. Western New England moved to 1-1 on the season, while Carleton also improved to 1-1.
Up Next
- The Golden Bears return to action Saturday for day two of the Pacific Coast Classic. Western New England will face Occidental College at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time before taking on host Pomona-Pitzer Colleges at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time.
