BOX SCORE
PHOTO GALLERY

WEST HARTFORD, CT – The University of Hartford volleyball team opened up its 2010 home schedule with a win over fellow Nutmeg state rival Central Connecticut in four sets (25-15, 25-23, 17-25, 25-18) on Wednesday night. With the victory, the Hawks improve to 3-9 overall, while the Blue Devils fall to 2-5 on the season.

A trio of Hawks led the team in hitting with Kami Nethersole leading all hitters with 14 kills, while sporting a .179 hitting percentage with seven kills in 29 total attacks. Joining her in double figures for Hartford was rookie Dionna Kirton who finished with 11 and junior Michelle Cordell adding 10 kills. Junior Sydney Scott led all players in the match with a .357 hitting percentage, knocking down seven kills with just two errors in 14 total attacks.

As a team, the Hawks hit .155 with 46 kills and 24 errors in 142 total attacks. The Hawks best hitting came in the first match when they combined for a .237 hitting percentage with 15 total kills, eight of which came from Nethersole, and six errors in 38 total attacks.

Senior setter Lindsay Ford captained the offense with a match-high 36 assists, while compiling her fifth double double of the season with 10 digs. Kirton also finished with a double double, her third of the season, with 16 digs, one shy of the team-high of 17 from Danielle Etta. Defensively, the Hawks also combined for four total blocks with Scott leading the team in that category with two total blocks.

Leading the Blue Devils was Blaike King who finished with 12 kills, while Kaitlin Petrella led all players in the match with 24 defensive digs. CCSU finished the match hitting .102 with 44 kills and 28 errors in 157 total attacks.

The Hawks will return to the road for their next three matches, all coming at the Kristen Dickmann Memorial Tournament hosted by the Navy Midshipmen. The Hawks will join the host Midshipmen, Howard and UMES for the two-day event in Annapolis, Md.