Wentworth Takes Salem State in Three

SALEM, Mass. -- Wentworth defeated Salem State 25-9, 25-18 and 25-9 on Thursday evening at Twohig Gymnasium in a non-conference match to improve to 13-8 on the year. The Vikings are now 4-14.   

The Leopards were led by Helen Barthe (Blythewood, S.C.) who had 10 kills on .714% hitting. Ema Thompson (Lewiston, idaho) compiled nine kills, and nine digs while Lexi Zabloudil (London, Ohio) led Wentworth with 19 assists one more than Chaise Kakuk (Laguna Nigel, Calif.). Shelby Seage (Cocoa, Fla.) topped the Leopards with 12 digs.

Abigail O'Connor (Gilford, N.H.) and Miranda Quinlan (Billerica, Mass.) each had five kills for Salem Sate while Pamela Diaz (Lynn, Mass.) had 11 digs. Eva Haralabatos (Melrose, Mass.) contributed 13 assists.

Wentworth hit .533 in the first set, in cruising to a 25-9 win. Tied 3-3 Wentworth opened the set with a 10-1 run as Thompson and Devin Neal (Loveland, Ohio) each had two kills apiece. The Leopards scored the final seven points of the set, with four of the points generated by Barthe. In a competitive set two, Salem State trailed 13-11 following back-to-back kills by Quinlan. However, Wentworth opened up an eight point lead before the Vikings fought back to within 22-18 after an ace by Haralabatos. Kills by  Viviann Goulet (North Kingstown, R.I.) and Seage and an attck error gave the set to Wentworth.

Once again Wentworth hit .533% in the third set, earning 19 kills on 30 attempts. Four kills from Barthe gave the Leopards a 9-2 lead. Consecutive kills by Neal and two more from Goulet and Seage made the score 10-4 in favor of the Leopards. Leading 15-5, a 10-4 spurt by Wentworth ended the set as Goulet and Thompson combined for four kills during the stretch with Seage adding three.