Bridgewater State Beats Salem State in Three Sets

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Bridgewater State swept Salem State, 3-0 (25-8, 25-17, 25,-16) in MASCAC volleyball action on Saturday at the Tinsley Center behind 11 kills from Meaghan Coutu as the Bears run their record to 7-6 on the year and 2-0 in the conference. The Vikings slip to 2-14 and 0-2. 

• Bridgewater State hit a blistering .647% in set one, led by three kills apiece from Lily Welch and Coutu as the Bears built an early 7-0 lead. Coutu's second kill grew the lead to 21-7 before three straight errors by the Vikings made the score 24-7 enroute to a 25-8 Bears' win.
• Bridgewater State broke an early 3-3 tie in set two with a 7-1 run highlighted by a pair of aces from Welch. Back-to-back kills by Abigail Reardon pushed the advantage to 20-14 before Coutu's seventh kill of the match cemented the 25-17 victory.
• Bridgewater State once again pulled away midway through the third set. The Bears used an 8-4 skein to go up 15-10. Both teams struggled with their serve, combining for nine service errors, with the last one committed by Salem State giving Bridgewater State a 22-14 lead. Two kills by Charlotte Sullivan and an ace by Ava Crane clinched the set and match for the Bears.  

Inside the Numbers:

• Bethany Votta produced 15 assists for Bridgewater State while Welch ended with four kills and 11 digs.  
• Presley Shairs  had seven kills and Kailey Roche recorded six digs to lead Salem State. Celia Carbone registered eight assists. 
• The two teams finished with 20 service errors combined - Salem State, 9, Bridgewater State 11. 

Up Next:

Salem State will host MASCAC rival Westfield State this Wednesday, October 16 at 6:00 pm.