WATERVILLE, ME
The UMPI women's volleyball team continued their conference schedule by taking on the Thomas College Terriers on Saturday morning. The Owls were swept by Thomas in their last meeting up in Presque Isle. This time the Owls were determined not to repeat history. It took five thrilling sets, but the Owls ultimately edged out the Terriers and earned the Conference victory.
How it Happened:
Set 1: (Thomas 25-15)
The Owls struggled the most of any set in this first one eventually falling 25-15. After trading back and forth until it was 7-7, Thomas went on a mini-run to go up 11-7. Another five point run later on, and the Terriers had control to win the set.
Set 2: (UMPI 25-21)
The Owls came from behind in this set, as the Terriers led at one point 10-5. Then a six-point for the Owls courtesy of three Mia Gutierrez aces gave them an 11-10 lead and turned the entire trajectory of the match around. The set was close the rest of the way, but the Owls hung on, scoring the last three points, again with another Gutierrez ace, to win 25-21.
Set 3: (Thomas 26-24)
The match amped up in intensity for the pivotal third set with the game tied at 1-1. An early Thomas lead slowly dissipated, but the Terriers never let UMPI lead except for a brief moment when it was 16-15 Owls. Thomas went up 21-17 before the Owls won five of the next six to tie it at 22. UMPI scored two more to make it 24-23 and had the set point. But the Terriers came back, scoring the next three to win it 26-24, and take control of the match.
Set 4: (UMPI 26-24)
The close trend continued into the fourth set with UMPI playing slightly ahead at the beginning. That lead went away and Thomas rallied off six straight points to go up 16-11. The Owls chipped away at that lead with time running out, and trailed 24-21. With their backs against the wall and the Terriers one point away from winning the match, the Owls scored six straight points to shock the Terriers and win by the same score of the last set, 26-24 and force a fifth set.
Set 5: (UMPI 15-12)
Though Thomas had been one point from winning the set prior, they came out hot in the final set, leading 8-3. Then Evelyn Elijah took the serve and the Owls scored eight points in a row to go up 11-8. They kept this slight lead all the way through and prevailed 15-12 in a thrilling comeback win.
Top Performers:
Faith Graham and Alexis Engel led with nine kills each while Jade Anspach had eight. Graham added four crucial blocks as well for the Owls. Kylee Blazick and Mia Gutierrez had five and four aces respectively. Rylie Kolkow continued pacing the offense with 23 assists. Alexis Engel had 20 digs while Kylee Blazick had 17 and Guttierrez added 16.
It was a true team win for the Owls, who improve to 9-13 on the season and 3-4 in conference play. They will have one more doubleheader before the playoffs when they host Husson University next Saturday beginning at 1pm.
