New London, CT ---
Bridget Spees (Saint Johns, FL) recorded nine kills, five service aces and 10 digs, but WPI fell to Connecticut College, 3-1, in non-conference volleyball action Tuesday evening at Luce Fieldhouse. The Engineers claimed the opening set, 25-18, before the Camels rallied to take the next three, 26-24, 25-13 and 25-16.
WPI finished the day with a 9-9 overall record after splitting Tuesday's doubleheader, which began with a four-set victory at Mitchell. Connecticut College improved to 6-9 overall with the win.
Spees led the Crimson and Gray with nine kills, five service aces and 10 digs.
Olivia Hutchinson (Erie, PA) contributed eight kills and five total blocks, including one solo block and four block assists, while
Anastasia Kelnik (Fair Lawn, NJ) added seven kills.
Amelia Lynch (Charlottesville, VA) tallied 17 assists and three kills, and
Jennah DiMartino (Mission Viejo, CA) paced the defensive effort with 17 digs and added two service aces.
WPI came out strong in the opening set, jumping ahead 5-0 behind Spees' serving. The Engineers maintained their advantage throughout the frame, building leads of 13-5 and 18-11 before Connecticut College began to rally. The Camels closed the gap to 21-16, but WPI responded to secure a 25-18 win and take a 1-0 match advantage.
The second set featured a back-and-forth battle. WPI built early leads of 7-2 and 13-5, but Connecticut College gradually worked its way back into the frame and eventually tied the score at 21-21. The teams traded points to reach 24-24 before the Camels scored the final two points to claim a 26-24 decision and even the match.
Connecticut College carried that momentum into the third set. Although WPI opened with a 3-0 lead, the Camels took control and built advantages of 13-8 and 20-10. Connecticut College maintained its lead to close out the set, 25-13, and move ahead 2-1 in the match.
The Camels completed the comeback in the fourth set, pulling away after an early 6-3 advantage. WPI closed the gap to 8-7, but Connecticut College created separation with a sustained scoring run and went on to secure a 25-16 victory. The Camels finished with 58 kills and a .264 hitting percentage, compared with 36 kills and a .153 mark for the Engineers.
Hutchinson finished with eight kills and five total blocks, while Spees added three block assists to go with her team-high nine kills, five aces and 10 digs. DiMartino's 17 digs led all WPI players, and
Lauren Boycourt (San Diego, CA) recorded 11 assists and five digs. As a team, WPI totaled 10 service aces and 57 digs.
Connecticut College was led by
Rae Wartelle (Tacoma, WA), who recorded 15 kills while hitting .433 and added five block assists.
Tilde Keatley (Pasadena, CA) contributed 13 kills, while
Keira Deeney (Norwell, MA) finished with 12 kills and a .348 hitting percentage.
Aubrie Letourneau (Mattapoisett, MA) directed the Camels' offense with 35 assists.
WPI returns to Harrington Auditorium on Wednesday, hosting No. 24 Babson at 6pm. Connecticut College returns to action Saturday, October 17, welcoming Williams for a 2pm NESCAC matchup in New London, CT.
