BOSTON, Mass. (courtesy Simmons sports information) -- The Brandeis University volleyball team picked up its first road win of the season tonight as the Judges defeated host Simmons College, in three sets, 25-16, 25-19, 25-17.
Brandeis took a commanding 8-1 lead in the first set as junior outside hitter Liz Hood (Albuquerque, N.M./Albuquerque Acad.) buried three kills in a row, all set by sophomore Maggie Swenson (East Lyme, Conn./East Lyme). Simmons first year Kat Guillotte (New Bedford, Mass.) broke up the Judges rhythm with her first kill of the night but Brandeis regained control on offense for a 25-16 victory.
Simmons kept the score close in game two as Nicole Alberghini (Northborough, Mass.) and Guillotte dominated at the net, while Morgan Kieon (North Attleboro, Mass.) and Alexandria Itasaka (Bradford, Mass.) each posted seven digs. Brandeis senior OH Si-Si Hensley (Fullerton, Calif./Troy) came up big with six kills and just two errors on 18 attempts as the Judges pulled away. Alberghini hit two kills to keep the Shark alive but a service error tipped the scales for a 25-19 Brandeis win in the second before taking a 25-17 win in the third.
Junior libero Elsie Bernaiche (Plantsville, Conn./Southington) and Hood anchored the Judges defense with 21 and 13 digs, respectively, while Swenson posted 28 assists on the night. Hood (11 K-3 E-25 TA, .320) and sophomore Summer Koop (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) (4 K-1 E-9 TA, .333) each hit better than .300 for the Judges, who hit .146 as a team, while holding the hosts to -.028. Simmons first year Andalyn Duke (Litchfield Park, Ariz.) recorded 14 assists for the Sharks and also added 10 digs.
Simmons returns to action on Saturday at Mount Ida in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference tri match with Norwich University. The Sharks play at 10AM and 12PM. The Judges travel to Colby-Sawyer for the Mid-Coast Classic on Friday, Sep. 27.