HARTFORD, Conn. - After dropping the first set 27-25, the UMBC volleyball team swept the next three to defeat Hartford, 3-1, in its first America East match of the 2009 season. With the win, the Retrievers improved to 9-7, while the Hawks dropped to 6-12 on the year.

Freshman Naomi Bush (Fruitport, Mich./Fruitport) hit an outstanding with .476 with 10 kills and no errors, while sophomore Alyssa Lang (Richmond, Va./Deep Run) earned a game-high 16 kills and added 11 digs.

Three Retrievers earned double-doubles including Lang, senior Ashley Oscars (Bakersfield, Calif./Liberty), who earned 13 kills and 14 digs, and sophomore Allie Spaay (Kenosha, Wisc./Kenosha Tremper), who added 34 assists and 12 digs.

UMBC's two middle blockers, junior Sabrina Hoeks (Olympia, Wash./AG West Black Hills) and sophomore Iman Kennedy (Charlotte, N.C./Independence), each hit over .300 and smashed eight kills.

In the first set, the Hawks took advantage of nine Retriever hitting errors, but UMBC hit over .333 in each of the final three sets, including 14 kills against only two errors in the final set.

The Retrievers return to action Friday when they open their home conference slate against New Hampshire at the RAC at 7 p.m.