SALEM, Mass. – Paced by 11 kills and an attack percentage of .407 from sophomore Claire Quick (Mission Viejo, Calif.), the Wentworth Institute of Technology women's volleyball team upped its win streak to three matches as the Leopards defeated Salem State, 3-0, in non-conference action Tuesday night.
With the win the Leopards improve to 16-2 on the season while the Vikings fall to 9-7.
The opening set saw the Leopards take a 9-4 lead on a kill from senior Caroline Shea (Abington, Mass.), however, Salem State crept to within a pair (10-8). Three straight points extended the Wentworth lead to 13-8. Out of a time out, the Vikings recorded the next two points to make it 13-10 before Wentworth eventually built the lead to 17-12 after an attack error. Salem had one more run in them, making it 17-14 after an ace but the Black & Gold scored eight of the final 10 points in the set to take the 25-16 win. Sophomore Leah Rogoz (Woodridge, Ill.) had five kills on nine swings without an error (.556) while classmate Samantha Lassiter (Rogers, Ark.) went 4-0-5 for an .800 attack percentage.
Wentworth took a 2-0 lead with a 25-12 win the second set as the leopards hit .393 and forced the hosts to hit .000. Leading 13-7, Wentworth committed a service error with gave Salem State the point and the serve. However, the Leopards rolled off nine straight points – eight coming with junior Lillie Clark (Vista, Calif.) on the service line – to take a 22-8 lead. Quick had four kills without an error on 10 swings in the set while Clark served two aces.
Four ties in the early part of the third set eventually gave way to a 12-8 Wentworth lead on a senior Katelyn Carlson (Stratford, Conn.) kill. Salem State answered with three straight points, trimming the lead to one (12-11) and the Vikings made it a one-point set one more time before tying it at 13-all. A 5-1 run, capped off by a freshman Makenna Salsbury (Bel Air, Md.) kill made it 18-14 in favor of the Black & Gold and a kill from Quick extended the lead to six (22-16). Leading 22-17, Wentworth scored the final three points, with two coming on Viking errors, to earn the sweep with a 25-17 win. Quick had five kills on 10 swings without an error (.500) in the set.
Quick finished the match without an attack error and was joined by Lassiter who went 5-0-7 for a .714 attack percentage to go along with three blocks. Rogoz had a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs while also serving two aces. Shea finished with five kills. Clark served three aces, Salsbury had a pair of blocks, sophomore Maddy Tomastik (Portland, Ore.) had 19 assists, and classmate Katie Clouse (Hudson Falls, N.Y.) had 11 helpers. Wentworth hit .348 as a team and forced Salem State to hit .049.
Wentworth is at Nichols tomorrow night.
For the latest on Wentworth Athletics, follow the Leopards via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Wentworth Leopards "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.