United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Volleyball - Bears Remain Unbeaten; Win 23rd Straight at Home

NEW LONDON, CONN.--(9/22/09)--Freshman Keriann Mason had eight kills, five blocks and 17 digs while classmate Lauren Bloch had eight kills and 12 digs as Coast Guard, ranked sixth in the New England Women’s Volleyball Association (NEWVA) poll, remained unbeaten with a 3-0 win (26-24, 25-20, 25-21) over Wellesley in a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) match.

Coast Guard extended its home court winning streak to 23 dating back to the 2007 season and improved to 9-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play. The nine straight wins to start the season matches the Bears best start since winning the first nine matches of the 2004 season.

The first game was tied 10-10 before the Bears scored six straight with junior libero Jessica Anderson serving five straight points as Coast Guard took a 16-10 lead. Wellesley rallied to tie the game at 19-19. The Blue had game point, leading 24-23, before Coast Guard scored three straight with Anderson again serving the final two points for a 26-24 win.

Coast Guard led game two 19-14 before the Blue pulled to within 19-18. The Bears led 20-19 and would score five of the final six points in game two to win 25-20.

In game three, with the score tied 15-15, Coast Guard scored seven of the next ten points and won 25-21.

Also for Coast Guard, freshman Karen Matic had 15 digs and a team-high 25 assists while senior Hillary Adams added four kills to go with her team-high five blocks. Anderson added 17 digs for the Bears.

Freshman Elizabeth Campbell led Wellesley (3-3, 1-1) with 15 kills to go with six digs, freshman Taylor King had 10 kills and senior Alice Kate Cummings had a team-high 16 digs and six kills.