Endicott ends Salve Regina home winning streak

NEWPORT, R.I. - The Endicott College women's volleyball team spoiled Salve Regina University's senior day by defeating the Seahawks, 3-1, in The Commonwealth Coast Conference action, behind the solid play of senior outside hitter Brittany Phillips (Sudbury, Mass.) and junior setter Sarah Allshouse (Berthoud, Colo.).

The Gulls took the first set, 25-18, after getting a four-point lead early (10-6) and maintaining that edge through 22-18, before finishing with the last three points. Sophomore Falyn Torelli (Pelham, N.Y.) delivered the kill for the set-clinching point.

In the second game, Salve Regina (12-16; 6-4 TCCC) raced to an 8-1 advantage with sophomore Sarah Showalter [East Lyme, Conn.] contributing two of her four service aces. When Endicott (20-14; 8-1 TCCC) closed the gap to 14-10, the Seahawks benefitted from a streak of attack errors from the visitors to go up 18-10. Salve Regina evened the match score when the Gulls mishandled a pass, giving the Seahawks game two, 25-19.

Showalter again provided an ace for a 6-2 lead in the third game, before a kill by Phillips got the serve over to the Gulls and they made the set a back-and-forth affair the rest of the way. Torelli ended the game, 26-24, with a finesse kill off a set from junior Elyse Barbour (Greenville, R.I.).

The Seahawks enjoyed another quick start in the fourth game behind the service of freshman Kelsey Stafstrom (Westford, Mass.). Trailing 7-2, Endicott won nine of the next 11 points to take a lead it would never relinquish. The Gulls rode the service of freshman Callie Dolan [Westford, Mass.] to a commanding 20-12 lead. The teams split the final 10 points with Dolan getting the kill to end the match.

Seahawk senior Lisa Zabel (Madison, Conn.) contributed nine digs, four assists, and two kills in her final regular season home match for Salve Regina. The Seahawks earn the No. 6 seed in the upcoming TCCC Championships and will play at No. 3 Colby-Sawyer College on Tuesday evening.

Phillips finished with a match-high 20 kills and a .293 hitting percentage. Allshouse recorded 40 assists and added 18 digs. Libero Ashley Norley [Sudbury, Mass.] led all players with 20 digs. The Gulls, who improve to 11-0 all-time against Salve Regina, earn the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament and will host Gordon College in quarterfinal action.