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The University of Maine volleyball team snapped a three match losing streak Sunday, dispatching Hartford 3-0.
The Black Bears won by scores of 31-29, 30-7 and 30-23 to complete their second sweep of the Hawks this season.
Senior Shannan Fotter had four service aces and 15 kills, and junior Jody Connacher recorded five aces with improved serving a key in the Black Bears’ victory.
“Losing shows you what you can do better,” said UMaine head coach Lynn Atherly.
The win improves UMaine to 4-3 in conference play and puts them alone in third place, behind Binghamton and Albany, who are both 6-1.
The Black Bears were coming off a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the University of Albany at Memorial Gym Friday afternoon.
“We’re walking off the court with our heads held high today, and we’re ready for our next conference opponent,” said Atherly.
Albany’s 3-0 sweep did not reflect the tone of the match, as the Black Bears led each of the first two games late but succumbed to Great Dane comebacks.
“I think we played with them. We beat them to 26 the first two, and we just couldn’t finish,” said Atherly.
UMaine led game one but eventually succumbed to the Great Danes efficient attack, losing 30-28
In game two, UMaine dug itself an 0-3 hole for itself but climbed back to tie it at 9-9. The Black Bears would lead 20-17 and the teams were tied at 22 and 24.
The Great Danes took a 27-29 lead and an ace by reigning America East Player of the Year Blair Buchanan gave them a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
Albany completed the match sweep by jumping out to a 13-20 lead. UMaine battled back and closed the gap at 22-24, but the Danes survived and won 26-30.
“We came out in the third trying to do some different things and we had a slow start, so they got ahead,” said Atherly.
UMaine’s defense held the Great Danes to a modest .277 hitting percentage as a team, but had trouble containing the top two hitters in America East: Ashlee Reed and Shelby Goldman.
“They have a lot of experience with a lot of girls who’ve played in big games,. We have a lot of young people who we’d like to play like experienced seniors; when that’s the case, some nights will be better than others,” said Atherly.
The Black Bears have just one match in the 10 days, next Sunday at UNH.
