NEWPORT, RI
UMPI Volleyball got back to the court after a long break coming off their opening night sweep of UMFK. The Owls headed out of state to Newport, Rhode Island to take on Salve Regina for a couple of non-conference matches. UMPI proved to be tough customers in the first match, despite losing in straight tests to Salve.
Match 1: 3-0 Ospreys
How it Happened:
The first set of the day, beginning at 11 a.m., ended up being the most competitive one of the whole doubleheader. UMPI jumped out to an early 5-1 lead thanks to four straight kills. They used that lead to stay ahead when it was 9-5, that was until Salve rattled off seven straight points to take a 12-9 advantage. The Owls played catch-up from there and even fell behind 21-15 at one point. Shortly after, trailing 22-18, the Owls made another great run scoring six straight times, as they had the Ospreys on the ropes at set point. Salve scored three times to make it a set point of their own, before UMPI survived to tie it at 25. The set continued well past the limit, until the Ospreys finally strung together two points, ultimately taking the dramatic first set by a score of 29-27.
The second set was also uber-competitive, that saw a couple more big runs by the Ospreys put them in the driver's seat. Leading 21-16, UMPI chipped away but not fast enough, as Salve took set two by a score of 25-21. With the prospect of sweeping, SRU came out firing in the last set, scoring the first five points and they'd keep that clip up the rest of the set, prevailing  25-13.
Top Performers:
The Owls were led in kills by first-year Bailey Rosentreter with seven. Mia Gutierrez followed closely behind with six, while Jade Anspach had three. Brooke Gardner had 11 assists, adding to her impressive total in this young season, while Nyla Guiboche led with 10 digs. Rylie Kolkow had nine digs while Gutierrez had eight.
Match 2: 3-0 Ospreys
The second match ended up the same as the first one: in straight sets. Though this one had a much different feel throughout as Salve Regina was consistently in front throughout all three sets. An 11-0 run in the first set put them up 16-4, which was insurmountable as they won 25-10. The Ospreys began the second set 12-2, another lead that sucked the wind out of UMPI's sails as they won by the same score. Following the same pattern, the Ospreys took all momentum, grabbing a 15-3 lead to start the final set. UMPI would play better towards the end of it, but it was too little, too late, as SRU would win the final set 25-12, sweeping again.
Top Performers:
Mia Gutierrez had her name all over the score sheet again, as she tied with Jade Anspach and Evelyn Elijah for the team lead in kills with two. She also was one of three Owls with an ace along with Brooke Gardner and Maubi Mateo. Gutierrez also led in digs with nine.
