Owls Overwhelm Vikings

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State blanked Salem State 3-0 (25-7, 25-12, 25-19) at the Woodward Center on Wednesday evening in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) match. The Owls move to 4-14 on the season and 3-0 in the MASCAC while the Vikings dip to 6-8 and 1-2 in the league.

Westfield State roared out to a commanding 2-0 lead as Bridgette McAndrews compiled 10 kills over the first two sets. The Owls opened the match with a 25-7 win in set one, jumping out to a 10-1 lead as Allie Hill provided three aces and McAndrews put home three consecutive kills. The lead grew to 20-3 following a kill by Lauren Carnes, who closed the set with her fourth kill.

The Owls hit .444 in set two, breaking a 5-5 tie with a 16-4 run. McAndrews and Carnes combined for seven of Westfield State's 14 kills in the 25-12 victory. Trailing 11-5 in set three, Salem State clawed their way back, forcing five attack errors as Abigail O'Connor's fifth kill drew the Vikings to within 14-12. Salem State cut the deficit to a point, but the Owls responded with a 5-0 spurt, with two kills coming from McAndrews. Presley Shairs made it a 19-17 game with a kill for the Vikings, but Westfield State scored four of the next five points before winning 25-19 after a kill by Olivia Harris ended the match.

McAndrews totaled 15 kills to go with nine digs. Carnes had nine kills while Michaela O'Connor had 16 digs. Morgan Dority finished with 16 assists for the Owls.

Salem State was led by seven kills by Shairs and seven digs apiece by Ariana Barrows and Kailey Roche. Celia Carbone set up the offense with 11 assists.