Barry, Adams propel Seahawks to 3-1 win over WIT

NEWPORT, R.I. - Junior Julianne Barry (Randolph, Mass.) tallied a match-high 16 kills and finished with a .625 hitting percentage as the Salve Regina University volleyball team remained perfect at home with a 3-1 win over Wentworth in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) action Wednesday evening at Rodgers Recreation Center.

Freshman and reigning TCCC Rookie of the Week Clare Adams (New Concord, Ohio) added eight kills and 11 digs for the Seahawks (8-12, 4-3 TCCC), who improved to 4-0 at home on the season and pulled ahead in the all-time series against the Leopards, 5-4. Junior Julie Bruton (Montgomery, Texas) led Wentworth (5-15, 2-4 TCCC) with 11 kills.

The Seahawks captured game one 25-15 behind five kills from Barry and three from freshman Jackie Cinquemani (East Islip, N.Y.). Bruton had two kills for WIT, which finished the frame with a .000 hitting percentage.

Salve Regina continued its solid play in game two as it posted a .294 hitting percentage en route to a 25-18 win. Adams and Barry (above) each had four kills while both senior Lisa Zabel (Madison, Conn.) and freshman Kelsey Stafstrom (Westford, Mass.) dished out seven assists. Bruton notched five kills for the Leopards while sophomore Nichole Wetherbee (Pembroke, Mass.) registered five digs.

With several Salve Regina starters on the bench to start game three, the Leopards grabbed a 25-22 win as sophomore Julie Rahilly (Nashua, N.H.) led the way with five kills. Barry paced the Seahawks with five while Zabel recorded a pair. With its starting unit in tact for game four, the Seahawks blew past WIT 25-8 behind the strength of 11 service aces, including four from Stafstrom and three from Barry.

"This was a total team win. Everyone played a role in helping us earn another conference win and remain perfect at home," said Seahawks head coach Lindsay Marshall. "JB had an outstanding match for us and really led our attack. We served the ball extremely well, especially in the fourth frame, and Kelsey was a big part of that. The fan support was great again, which was extra important tonight with our 'Dig Pink' to help raise money for breast cancer. We came away with over $100, which is terrific."

Zabel finished with eight kills, 18 assists, six digs and a pair of blocks for the Seahawks while Stafstrom notched 22 assists and six digs. For the Leopards, Rahilly finished with 10 kills and seven digs, sophomore Rebecca Williams (Brockton, Mass.) tallied a team-high 15 assists, and Wetherbee led with 11 digs.

The Seahawks return to action on Friday when they travel to Bridgewater State for a 6 p.m. match. The Leopards host a tri-match with Gordon and the University of New England on Saturday.