Seahawks unable to dethrone Hawks

BRISTOL, R.I. - Salve Regina University women's volleyball improved its result in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) final from two years ago, but nonetheless Roger Williams University captured its sixth straight title with a four-set victory, 3-1 (21-25,25-14,25-15,26-24).

The Hawks (22-5) also earn their sixth straight bid to the NCAA Division III Championships while the Seahawks (20-10) await a bid to the ECAC New England Championships. It would be a fourth-straight appearance for Salve Regina women's volleyball if it were selected.

Salve Regina came out strong in the first set, taking the game 25-21 over Roger Williams. The Seahawks trailed early on in the match by four before pulling away late to take the 1-0 lead.

The Hawks came out firing in the second set, jumping out to an 8-1 advantage in the game. RWU led by as many as 11, going up 20-9 before taking the game 25-14.

The third game also started off strongly in the Hawks' favor, as RWU began the set on an 8-2 run. RWU took another 20-9 lead en route to the 25-15 win.

In the clinching set, Salve Regina came close to pushing the match to a fifth and deciding set, taking a 23-21 lead. RWU managed to come back and score three straight points before the Seahawks tied it at 24. A bad serve and misplayed ball by Salve gave the final two points for RWU and the win.

Elizabeth Flaherty (Sloatsburg, N.Y.) led RWU with 17 kills while contributing 19 digs. Kristen Boyer (Ephrata, Pa.) added eight kills and a season-high 25 digs. Josalyn Benson (Phoenix, Ariz.) added 27 assists and 14 digs, while Maria Batas (Merrick, N.Y.) set a new personal best with 33 digs.

Jennifer Duggan (Merrimack, N.H.) led Salve Regina with nine kills to go along with 25 digs. Katelyn Beauregard (Dartmouth, Mass.), Erin McGloin (West Islip, N.Y.), and Emily Lipinski (Hampden, Mass.) each added eight kills apiece for the Seahawks. Taylor Violet (Tiverton, R.I.) finished with 34 assists, while Dianna Tauro (Melrose, Mass.) went for 26 digs.