Springfield, Mass. – September 1, 2023 – In its first match of the 2023 season, the Springfield College women's volleyball team earned a straight-set victory over Westfield State to begin the Springfield College Invitational.  The Pride pulled away by the scores of 25-13, 25-20, 25-12. 

The story of the match was Springfield's serving, as the Pride racked up 18 service aces in the contest, including 10 from Ally Townsend (Hummelstown, Pa.).  Olivia Nealy (Athens, Ga.) led all players with eight kills on a .438 clip to go along with four aces and four digs in her collegiate debut, while Maeve Voltz (Bay Shore, N.Y.) contributed seven blocks and seven kills and Natalie Billet (Commack, N.Y.) chipped in seven kills of her own.  Springfield finished the day hitting .247, hit Megan Kirtyan (Massapequa Park, N.Y.), Tori Colosimo (Fairport, N.Y.) and Townsend combining for 29 assists. 

Westfield State jumped out to an 8-3 lead to start the match as head coach Moira Long burned an early timeout for the hosts.  Springfield would regain a 12-11 lead following an ace from Townsend and extend its cushion to 19-11 on a kill from Emily Keaveney (Massapequa Park, N.Y.). Townsend was key in the stretch with a 13-point scoring run and three-consecutive aces by Hailey Deguire (Schenectady, N.Y.) closed out the 25-13 triumph. 

Springfield took early control of the second set with a 12-3 lead following back-to-back attack errors by Westfield State.  The lead would balloon to 20-7 after another ace by Deguire, only to have Westfield State close within 23-17 thanks to a 10-3 burst.  However, Colosimo was able to manufacture a late kill to conclude the 25-20 win. 

The Pride used an 8-2 push, which was capped off by a kill from Billet, to open up a 10-4 edge in the third.  After the Owls made it a 12-8 contest, Springfield benefitted from a 6-1 push, with Nealy burying three kills in the stretch to lead the way.  In fitting fashion, Townsend sealed the win with consecutive winners from the end line in the 25-12 third-set victory.

Springfield will continue the weekend play on Saturday morning when it hosts Rivier at 10:30 am. 

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