SALEM, Mass. – The Lesley University women's volleyball team netted their second consecutive win tonight with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-17) victory over Salem State University this evening at Twohig Gymnasium. With the win, the Lynx avenge a 3-2 loss to the Vikings in 2013 and improve to 2-1 on the young 2014 season. Salem State opens their season at 0-1 with the loss.
Lynx freshmen Anni Abbruzzese (Croton on Hudson, N.Y.) and Ciara Bruning (Centerville, Mass.) led Lesley with seven kills apiece while junior Emily Marden (Fremont, Calif.) dished out 19 assists to lead the sweep over the Vikings. Melisa Randall (Fremont, Calif.) chipped in on the defensive end with 10 digs and senior Danielle Johnson (Waterford, Conn.) finished with a match-high four aces.
Salem State setter Micaela Forcaciari (Plymouth, Mass.) led all players with 20 assists and eight digs. Emily Peay (Lebanon, Conn.) helped the Vikings attack with nine kills along with six kills from Alexandra Hopkinson (Reading, Mass.).
Holding a slim 12-9 lead in the opening set, the Lynx gave themselves some room with a 5-0 run powered by Johnson's serve to extend their lead to 17-9 before finishing the set 25-14. Johnson had two of her four aces during the spurt.
Lesley kept up the momentum and never trailed in the second set as they jumped out to a 12-5 edge. Leading 22-12, the Vikings would score six straight to climb within four, but Lynx junior Jessie Reynolds (Londonderry, N.H.) stopped their run with a kill to spark a 3-0 run for the guests to close out the second 25-18.
The Lynx needed a comeback effort to take the third set and 3-0 sweep. Trailing 16-15, Lesley went on a torrid 10-1 run to close out the match. Marden, Bruning, and Abbruzzese powered the attack as they each tallied two kills on the run.
Lesley will be back in action on Saturday, September 13th when they head to St. Joseph's College (Me.) for a tri-match with the Monks and Mt. Ida College. The first match will start at 10:00a.