University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
20-11, 11-1AE
University at Albany
10-16, 7-5AE
Volleyball Defeats UAlbany in Four Sets to Win Second Consecutive America East Title; Muses Named MOP
11/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of New Hampshire volleyball team, led by Most Outstanding Player Demi Muses (Orangevale, Calif.), earned its second consecutive America East Championship and fifth in program history, defeating the University at Albany in four sets Saturday afternoon at Lundholm Gymnasium.
UNH, the tournament top seed by virtue of an 11-1 America East record, registered its 11th straight win to improve to 20-11 overall. UAlbany, the third seed with a 7-5 conference mark, ends the season at 10-16. UNH has captured back-to-back titles for the second-time in program history, last accomplishing the feat in the 2002 and 2003 seasons.
The set scores were 25-22, 19-25, 27-25 and 25-13.
Muses recorded a double-double effort with 14 kills and 15 digs while racking up five blocks. Additionally, the sophomore middle blocker logged a match-high .355 attack percentage.
Juniors Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) and Madison Lightfoot (Clarkston, Mich,) joined Muses on the conference All-Championship Team. Brinkman recorded 13 kills on the strength of a .303 attack percentage and chipped in six digs. Lightfoot anchored the defense with 33 digs while dishing out six assists.
Classmate Tori Forrest (Powder Springs, Ga.) posted her team-leading 10th double-double of the season with 15 kills and 16 digs. Senior setter Taylor Dunklau (Mukwonago, Wis.) also recorded a double-double, tallying 48 assists and 14 digs.
The first set saw neither team able to pull away early as the two sides found themselves knotted at 9-9 to open the match. After conceding the next point to the Great Danes, the Wildcats pulled ahead on a 5-0 run, powered by terminations from Brinkman, Forrest and Muses to lead 14-10. However, UAlbany erased the four-point advantage with a 7-2 surge to claim a one-point edge at 17-16. Following a New Hampshire timeout, the two sides exchanged blows as the frame featured 10 tie scores and four lead changes. Both teams battled to a 22-22 count, but New Hampshire snatched the first set with an UAlbany miscue sandwiched by kills from Muses and Forrest.
UNH and UAlbany went back and forth in the second stanza as the score stood at 11 apiece. The Great Danes jetted ahead on a 9-4 run to lead 20-15. Breaking out of a home timeout, New Hampshire narrowed UAlbany's lead down to thee at 20-17. However, the Great Danes captured five of the last seven to seize set two and tie the match up at 1-1.
The third set featured a hard fought battle from both sides. Much like the previous two sets, New Hampshire and Albany exchanged 11 points apiece to start set three. The Great Danes propelled ahead by rattling off five straight points to lead 16-11. UAlbany preserved its five-point cushion late in the frame, leading 23-18 in search of going ahead 2-1. The 'Cats swung the momentum around, engineering a 6-0 surge to force set point on the Great Danes, 24-23. UAlbany staved off a pair of set points as the score rose to the 25 mark. Junior right side hitter Brenna Buckwalter (Evergreen, Colo.) landed a kill to give the 'Cats their third opportunity to clinch the frame. New Hampshire prevailed on the third try with a Great Dane attack error to go up 2-1 in the match.
The Wildcats pounced on the Great Danes to begin the fourth set and never looked back, stringing together lengthy runs to lead 15-5. Brinkman powered the offense in the frame with a set-high five kills armed by a .333 attack percentage. New Hampshire never relinquished its double-digit lead and clinched match-point to win its fifth America East title in program history and second in as many years.
The Wildcats will find out who their opponent will be in the 2014 NCAA Division I Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 30 (8:30 p.m.). The selection show will be televised on ESPNU.
Check out UNHWildcats.com or follow the Wildcats via social media on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNHWildcats), Twitter (@UNHWildcats), YouTube (www.youtube.com/UNHAthletics) and Instagram (@UNHWildcats) for the latest news and information on all 20 varsity sports. For additional information on the UNH volleyball team, like the squad on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNHVolleyball) or follow the 'Cats on Twitter and Instagram at @UNHVOLLEYBALL.
