Volleyball Topped by Westfield State
NEW LONDON, Conn. – Westfield State University delivered a 3-0 victory over Mitchell College in a non-conference women's volleyball match on Thursday night at the Yarnall Athletic Center.
Westfield State (3-8 overall) won by set scores of 25-7, 25-9 and 25-11. Brianna Starkey matched a season high with 15 kills and hit .542 to lead the Owls offensively. Brigid Murray handed out a match-high 27 assists while Natasha Belardo and Lizzie Taylor combined for 29 digs.
Ariana Carter posted three kills to lead the Mariners while Courtney Cappabianca had 13 digs.
In what would become the theme of the night, the Owls raced out to a big lead in the opening set and never looked back. Tiara Vaughn and Belardo each served for six points during a 17-3 start, and Starkey finished the stanza with six kills, including one that clinched the set and the 1-0 advantage.
A 14-3 start put Westfield State on top in the second stanza. Belardo once again served for six straight points as the Owls seized control, and she also added three kills of her own while Starkey contributed four.
Mitchell fell behind 13-4 in the final set and couldn't recover. Starkey led the assault with five kills while Mia Jeronimo recorded three of her five kills in the stanza.
Mitchell (0-7 overall) will next play a tri-match at Lasell College on Saturday, September 23 at 1 and 3 p.m. Westfield State returns to action at home against Bridgewater State University on Saturday at 11 a.m.