CASTINE, ME
The UMPI Volleyball team's exciting 2025 season ahs been filled with close matches and tight finishes. Most recently a two-point loss in the fifth set to Husson University. Unfortunately, the Owls' trip to Castine to play Maine Maritime Academy was not one of those matches, as the Mariners showed off why they haven't lost a regular season conference game in nearly a decade.
3-0: Mariners
How it Happened:
The Mariners set the tone in the very first set as they won the first six points of the game before UMPI got on the board. They'd continue that dominance to lead 13-3 at one point to get a choke hold on the first set. The Owls didn't give up however, as they fought back winning four of the next six points. This bid was too little, too late however as MMA could play 50/50 ball the rest of the way and still win double digits. This is exactly what they did, winning 25-11.
In set two, UMPI vowed not to repeat their start to the first set, as they won the first two points. MMA responded with four points of their own. Teams traded blows for a bit until the Mariners fired off another mini-run to go up 8-4. UMPI clawed back again however, making it 9-8 MMA as they approached the middle of the set. The Mariners had other plans as they then took seven of the next eight points to build a 16-9 lead. They'd close out the set on a six point run as well, winning 25-13.
In the final set, the Mariners displayed the biggest dominance of the night as they won nine consecutive points to go up 9-0, all but ending the match right then and there. The Owls didn't have a consistent answer for the efficient Mariners as they ended up winning 25-10 for a clean 3-0 sweep.
Top Performers:
The Owls were led again by Mia Gutierrez who had four kills on the day. Nyla Guiboche and Bailey Rosentreter each had three. Evelyn Elijah led with a couple of aces. Brooke Gardner led with 10 assists, while Maubi Mateo led with 10 digs.
Next Up:
UMPI drops to 2-6 overall and 0-2 in conference. The Owls will now get ready for a big conference home weekend as they face the Vermont schools with VTSU-Johnson visiting on Friday and VTSU-Lyndon on Saturday.
