Stony Brook lost a hotly-contested match against the New Hampshire Wildcats on Friday in Durham, New Hampshire, going a full five sets. The loss ends a seven-match win streak for the team and drops their record to 2-1 in conference play.
The Seawolves fell into an early hole, dropping the first set 25-18. The Wildcats closed out the opening set with a 6-2 run, finished off by consecutive aces by junior setter Mali Jereczek. The Wildcats had a 7-2 scoring run early into the second set as well, but the Seawolves recovered and edged out a 25-23 victory.
Stony Brook broke a 15-15 tie with six consecutive points in the third set, headlined by kills from junior middle blocker McKyla Brooks, sophomore outside hitter Jordan Gels and senior middle blocker Cydney Bowman. They would win the set 26-24 on an attack error by New Hampshire sophomore outside hitter Kennedi Smith.
The fourth set was a neck-and-neck battle, with neither team ever taking more than a three-point lead. Back-to-back attack errors by the Seawolves gave the set to the Wildcats, 25-23.
In the decisive fifth set, New Hampshire broke a 9-9 tie and would not relinquish the lead, winning 15-11 and taking the match 3-2.
Gels had a strong performance in the loss, recording 16 kills. Sophomore setter LeAnne Sakowicz worked to record 49 assists and Bowman was a standout on defense, creating seven blocks. Overall, Stony Brook slightly out-attacked New Hampshire 190-186, but a combination of errors and opponent aces decided the match.
Stony Brook will look to bounce back on Oct. 7 as they travel to UMass Lowell and take on the River Hawks at 7 p.m. UMass Lowell is 5-11 on the season, and 0-3 in conference play. Stony Brook is a perfect 6-0 against UMass Lowell all-time.
Following their contest against UMass Lowell, Stony Brook will return home for a match against Iona on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. before embarking on a four-game road trip.
