BROOKLINE, Mass. – Lesley University was tripped up by Newbury College 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-18) in New England Collegiate Conference action Wednesday night at Pappas Gymnasium. The loss snaps a two-game win streak for the Lynx as they fall to 9-13 overall and 5-2 in conference play while the Nighthawks improve to 10-8 overall and 6-1 in NECC matches.

Newbury senior Courtney Banks (Corona, Calif.) led the way for the hosts with 15 kills while Kataya Sykes (Brockton, Mass.) added 12 kills and Kylie Kowalski (Columbus, N.J.) six.

Junior Anni Abbruzzese (Croton on Hudson, N.Y.) finished with 15 kills for the third straight match for the Lynx to pace the Lesley attack. Senior Vera Bednar (Helmond, Netherlands) nearly finished with a double-double, recording 15 assists and nine digs while classmate Jess Reynolds (Londonderry, N.H.) finished with a team-high 21 digs. Junior Kaylee Deluga (Dennis, Mass.) added four kills for the visitors.

In the opening set, Newbury jumped out to an 8-2 lead on a series of kills by Banks and Sykes. The Lynx would fight back in the set on Newbury errors, getting the match to 8-6 early in the first. Leading 20-15, Newbury would finish the set with five straight points, including two aces from senior Lindsey Clark (Venice, Fla.)..

In the second set, it was the Nighthawks again jumping out early to another 8-2 lead, including two aces by senior Gabby Aldaco (Springdale, Ark.). The Lynx would again answer back with a strong showing by Abbruzzese who tallied five kills in the middle of the second set, to put her side down one, 12-11. It would again be a run at the end of the set that would give the Nighthawks the momentum in the second. Holding a 17-14 advantage, the Nighthawks would score seven of the next eight, including two kills each for Sykes and Banks, to take a 24-15 lead. A Lesley attack error would end the set, 25-15, giving the Nighthawks a 2-0 set lead.

The final set again saw Newbury taking early points to lead 10-4. The third set remained close thanks to strong play by Abbruzzese, who had four points in an eight point span. The Nighthawks would stake a three point edge, 19-16, before scoring four straight to extend the lead to 23-16. Kills by Kowalski and Banks would finish the set for the Nighthawks, 25-18.

Junior Marlen Reynoso (Springdale, Ark.) recorded a double-double, finishing the match with 30 assists and 11 digs for the Nighthawks. Clark and Aldaco would record 20 and 13 digs, respectively, while junior Julia Leggett (Longview, Wash.) finished with a match-high 22 digs.

Both sides will wrap up their regular season slate on Saturday. Lesley will celebrate Senior Night and play host to Regis College at 5:00p while the Nighthawks take the at 1:00p at Elms College.

Release courtesy Newbury College Sports Information