Meyer serves Seahawks to first ever 2-0 start

NEWPORT, R.I. - Senior Jessica Meyer (Seymour, Conn.) recorded nine aces in just three sets, as the Salve Regina women's volleyball team improved to 2-0 to open the season for the first time in program history, after a 3-0 victory over UMass Dartmouth at the Rodgers Recreation Center on Tuesday night. The Seahawks took the match in straight sets by scores of 25-20, 25-18, and 25-14.

Meyer added six digs to go along with her nine aces, while freshman Taylor Violet (Tiverton, R.I.) dished-out 25 assists for the second straight contest. Freshman libero Dianna Tauro (Melrose, Mass.) led all players with 16 digs in the win, while senior Julianne Barry (Randolph, Mass.) compiled a match-high 11 kills and three blocks. Freshman Jennifer Duggan (Merrimack, N.H.) also had a noteworthy performance with nine kills and six digs on the night.

The Corsairs were led by junior Jessica Goncalves (New Bedford, Mass.) who contributed in all phases of the game with 13 assists, eight kills, and six digs. Senior Allie Mastrocola (Swansea, Mass.) chipped-in with eight kills and eight digs, while fellow senior Cami Ascher (Natick, Mass.) added three aces in the loss.

The two teams raced out to a four-all tie in the first set before the Seahawks erupted with an 8-0 run, which included four service aces by Meyer, to build a 12-4 lead.

The Corsairs clawed their way back to within two at 19-17, but the Seahawks responded with five straight points as they held on for the 25-20 victory in what turned out to be the closest set of the night.

UMass Dartmouth held a 9-8 advantage early in the second set before the Seahawks got hot once again, reeling-off nine consecutive points to steal the lead, 17-9.

The Corsairs were unable to get back within less than five points the rest of the way, and freshman Erin McGloin (West Islip, N.Y.) closed out the set with back-to-back kills for the Seahawks (25-18).

Once again, the two teams appeared equally matched early in the third set, battling to a 7-7 tie. However, Meyer was able to help the Seahawks build some breathing room by serving four consecutive aces to give SRU an 11-7 lead.

Leading 13-12, the Seahawks exploded for yet another dominant stretch, ending the third and decisive set by earning 12 of the final 14 points, including two service aces down the stretch by junior Sarah Showalter (East Lyme, Conn.).

The Corsairs, who are now 1-1 on the year, will look to bounce back on Friday when they get set to host the first day of the UMass Dartmouth Invitational. The Seahawks will take their unblemished record with them as they hit the road to take part in the Endicott Invitational, playing their first match on Friday versus Plymouth State at 3 p.m.