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BALTIMORE – UMBC freshman Maddie Schneider (Olathe, Kan.) put down 15 kills on just 24 attempts as the host Retrievers blanked Hartford, 3-0, in a critical America East Conference volleyball match at the RAC Arena.

UMBC improved to 6-5 in the conference and 12-13 overall, while Hartford fell to 2-25, 1-10.

The Retrievers took over third place in the America East Conference with Sunday's "Senior Day" regular season finale versus New Hampshire looming.

The Retrievers captured the match, 25-18, 25-20, 25-16.

With the first set tied at 10-all, UMBC went on a 5-0 run, with the last four points coming off of serves by sophomore Abbie Mirabella (Hockessin, Del.) and UMBC held onto that advantage to take the first set.

The Hawks came out strong in the second set, taking a 7-2 lead, but UMBC went on a 11-5 run to capture a 13-12 advantage midway through the set. With the set knotted at 18-all, UMBC outscored the Hawks, 7-2, down the stretch to go into the break ahead, 2-0.

UMBC never trailed in the third set, and built a 19-10 lead, cruising to the straight set victory.

Mirabella contributed nine kills and six service aces in a starting role. Setters Claudia Lopez ( (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) and Krytsia Negron (San Juan, Puerto Rico) combined for 33 assists, and Negron added seven digs and three service aces.

Katy Henchy led Hartford with nine kills.

UMBC hit .317 for the match, while UH hit .127.