Video Highlights
Durham, N.H. – The UMBC volleyball squad used a balanced attack and earned a gritty 3-1 triumph over host New Hampshire in Lundholm Gym.
The Retrievers split the first two sets, winning, 25-18, before UNH responded with a 25-19 second set victory. But UMBC took sets three and four, 25-19 and 25-22 to capture a tough road victory.
UMBC improves to 7-10 overall and 2-0 in the early stages of America East play, while UNH drops to 8-7, 1-1.
"I am proud of the way we keep battling through adversity," said Head Coach Cristina Robertson. "Each one of us stepped up and made huge contributions for us to come out with this victory. We still have a lot of work to do and are going to keep working hard to eliminate errors and keep growing together as a team."
Graduate student Grace Rigsbee (Suwanee, Ga.) led the offense with 16 kills, but had plenty of help. Freshmen Mia Bilusic (Zagreb, Croatia) and Mila Ilieva (Vidin, Bulgaria) amassed 13 kills apiece and Ilieva only committed one error. Sophomore Beste Ayhan (Istanbul, Turkey) put away nine kills, seven assisted blocks and did not suffer one error.
Junior setter Andjelija Draskovic (Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia) averaged nearly 13 assists per set, totaling 51 and added 15 digs. Graduate student libero Loren Teter (Redondo Beach, Cailf.) led all players with 24 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UMBC had a slight edge at 18-16, when Ayhan contributed to four points in a pivotal 5-0 run with three assisted blocks and a kill.
- The Retrievers led, 11-9, but committed a half-dozen errors in the middle stages of the set, which led to a 9-2 UNH run.
- With the visitors leading, 13-12, Bilusic had a hand in four of five points (2 kills, 1.5 blocks) in a crucial 5-0 surge. UMBC hit .325 for the set.
- UMBC seemed to be in command, leading 19-15, but the host knotted the score at 20-all after a contested attack error called on Draskovic. But a 3-0 run, punctuated by a Bilusic kill, and points on UNH's final two serves of the match wrapped up the victory.
NOTE CHECK
- After losing seven straight matches at Lundholm, the Retrievers have won won three of the last four contests in Durham.
UP NEXT
The Retrievers complete the New England swing with a Sunday match at Harford (1:00 p.m.).
