Wentworth Institute of Technology Athletics

Nichols Fends Off Women's Volleyball

Bison hold off Leopards for 3-1 win; Kate McLane leads both teams with 21 kills

Photo by Haley Dando '24 M'25
Photo by Haley Dando '24 M'25
Box Score
November 2, 2024

DUDLEY, Mass. – Despite a match-high 21 kills from Kate McLane, the Wentworth Institute of Technology women's volleyball team was skimmed in four sets by conference rival Nichols in Conference of New England action Saturday afternoon.

The Bison improve to 5-18 overall and earn their first conference win of the season. The Leopards fall to 15-10 (5-2 CNE) with two conference dates remaining.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • Two finishes from Kate McLane marked a 2-2 draw in the opening set before the Bison later separated themselves with a 9-4 advantage. Kills by Emma Sanders and Riley Schoonmaker cut the deficit to 10-6 before the Bison pushed the lead to 17-10. A finish by Sanders later dwindled the deficit to 19-13, but Nichols would keep up the pace for a 25-14 set win.
  • Three kills by McLane gave Wentworth a 5-4 edge in the second set before another helped push the lead to 9-5. Two kills from Helen Barthe and another by Sanders continued the lead to 14-9 before three finishes by McLane and another by Schoonmaker marked a 21-12 score. Two kills from Clairissa Taylor helped the Leopards claim a 25-15 set win, tying the match at one aside.
  • The two teams swapped scores to open the third set, with a McLane kill marking a 6-6 knot before a Sanders finished marked an 8-8 score. Behind 11-10, the Bison rallied to take a 14-11 lead before carrying the score to 18-14. Four kills from Sanders cut the Leopards' deficits to 19-18 and later 21-20 before a back-and-forth finished with Nichols fending off Wentworth again, 25-23.
  • Two aces by Amanda Zweifler and another two finishes from McLane gave the Leopards a 7-1 lead in the fourth set before errors pushed the score to 13-8. Kills by McLane and Schoonmaker continued the lead to 17-12 before another finish by McLane marked an 18-15 lead. The Bison rallied back, taking a 22-20 lead, before holding on for a 25-22 set win.

SERIES NOTES:

NEXT UP:

 

For the latest on Wentworth Athletics, follow the Leopards via social media on "X," Facebook and Instagram.