WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL FALLS TO EASTERN NAZARENE IN SEASON-OPENER, 3-1

QUINCY, Mass.- The Emmanuel College women's volleyball team fell to Eastern Nazarene College, 3-1, in their season-opener on Wednesday evening at the Lahue Physical Education Center. The match was the Lion's in first home match of the season and the Saints season-opener.

The Lions improve to 1-2 overall while the Saints slide to 0-1 on the year.

Courtney McCarthy (Merrimack, N.H.) paced the hosts with 24 kills and 18 digs. Ruth Aguilar (Tegucigulpa, Honduras) notched 19 assists, 13 kills, and five digs. Samantha Caldwell (Quincy, Mass.) dished out 27 assists on the night. Jessica Caldwell (Quinicy, Mass.) registered a match-high 25 digs while McKenzie Walling (Rock Hill, S.C.) chipped in with 14 digs and five aces.

The home side grabbed a 1-0 lead with a 25-15 victory in the opening frame. Eastern Nazarene chalked up the first five points of the set before extending its lead to 17-6. After Emmanuel cut the deficit to 19-13, the Lions ended the game on a 6-2 run.

The visitors pulled even at 1-1 with a 26-24 decision in the second set.  The Saints jumped ahead 13-6 early in the set before Eastern Nazarene clawed back with nine unanswered points to seize a 15-13 edge. The two teams battled closely throughout the remainder of the frame as Emmanuel eked out a narrow two-point win.

Eastern Nazarene responded with a 25-11 win in the third to capture a 2-1 edge. The hosts exploded for 11 consecutive points to go up 14-3. The Lions rattled off the final five points of the set to regain the lead.

After falling behind 19-15 in the fourth set, Eastern Nazarene clawed back to finish the game on a 10-1 run to capture the frame 25-20 and seal the 3-1 victory.

Marissa Cataldo (Melrose, Mass.) and Mary Shelow (Miami, Fla.) each tallied 14 kills to lead Emmanuel while Carly Church (Higganum, Conn.) recorded 31 assists. Seniors Casey Sheehan (Medway, Mass.) and Katharine Journaey (Hampton, N.H.) combined for 29 digs on the defensive front.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene will host the ENC Invitational Tournament September 7-8. The Lions will face Nichols September 7 before battling Framingham State and Regis the following day. Emmanuel returns to action on Saturday, traveling to New Haven, Conn. to open Great Northeast Athletic Conference play with a tri-match against Albertus Magnus College and Norwich University.

*Release courtesy of Eastern Nazarene College Sports Information