University of Hartford

BEVERLY, MASS. - The Hartford volleyball team fell to Endicott College in four sets on Saturday, October 24th, dropping the match by a 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 23-25, 15-25) final. Despite a strong performance from freshman Calla McCombs (Bloomfield, N.Y.), who led the Hawks with 20 kills, Hartford was unable to overcome the Gulls.

Rapid Recap:

• The Hawks opened the first set trading points with the Gulls before building a 7-3 advantage behind kills from McCombs and a service ace from freshman Belen Butler (San Diego, Calif.). Endicott responded with a strong serving run, taking a 10-8 lead before Hartford battled back to even the score. The teams continued to exchange points throughout the set, with the Hawks eventually pulling ahead late. Hartford was able to keep good composure down the stretch, closing out the set with a 25-23 victory to take an early 1-0 lead in the match. This marked the first ever set win for the Hawks over the Endicott Gulls. 
• The second set featured another competitive start, with the teams continuing to trade kills to remain even early. Endicott gradually created separation, using a series of kills and service aces to build a 13-6 lead. The Hawks continued to battle, with McCombs and juniot Rylee Miller (Sunriver, Ore.) contributing kills to help Hartford chip away at the deficit. Hartford put together a late push, closing within one at 21-22 before the Gulls answered with key points down the stretch to take the set, 25-23, and even the match at one set apiece.
• Hartford came out strong in the third set, using a run of kills from McCombs and sophomore Lauren Johnson (Fort Collins, Colo.) to build a 7-3 advantage and force an early Endicott timeout. However, the Gulls responded with a scoring run of their own, cutting into the deficit and eventually taking the lead. Hartford continued to fight, with McCombs providing key kills and freshman Amara Rhodes (Merced, Calif.) adding a service ace to keep the Hawks within reach. The teams traded points late in the set, but Endicott just edged ahead to claim another 25-23 victory and take a 2-1 lead in the match. 
• The fourth set allowed Endicott gain early momentum behind its serving game, building a 7-3 lead before extending the advantage to 13-5. Hartford looked to respond through McCombs, Miller, and senior Jordan Murphy (East Hampton, Conn.), but the Gulls continued to find openings offensively. The Hawks managed to string together points late in the set, including a service ace from sophomore Mattea Cosby (Enfield, Conn.), but Endicott maintained control and closed out the set in a dominant fashion, 25-15, to secure the 3-1 comeback victory.

Post Match Press:
"We were so close tonight. Just a few plays separated us from a 3 set victory and sometimes volleyball is ruthless like that, said Head Coach Johan Dulfer. "To find ourselves at the end of our first rebuilding season, in full control of a playoff spot, and taking the highest ranked team in our league to the brink of defeat in their own gym is something we should be very proud of. Endicott is a well coached, and very deep team with lots of weapons. We just ran out of a little bit of steam, but can keep our heads held high in the knowledge that we took another important step in the building of our program."

Inside the Numbers:

• McCombs led the Hawks with 20 kills, adding three service aces to her strong offensive performance. Miller followed with seven kills, while Johnson contributed five.
• Rhodes guided Hartford's offense with 33 assists and added two service aces. Butler also recorded two aces, while McCombs finished with three. 
• Murphy led the Hawks at the net with four blocks, followed by Johnson with three and Rhodes with two. Miller led Hartford defensively with seven digs, while Rhodes added six and Addison Miller recorded five.
• Endicott was led by Hadley Helenbrook, who finished with 15 kills and 13 digs. Ava Grace Dresback added 10 kills and four service aces, while Jacquelyn Marion contributed nine kills and four blocks. Sienna Sellitto led the Gulls with 21 assists.
• Despite Hartford's more efficient attacking performance, hitting .239 compared to Endicott's .195, the Gulls held the advantage in total kills (49-43) and service aces (17-11). Both teams finished with seven blocks, while Endicott held a narrow 46-40 advantage in assists and a 43-41 edge in digs.

Up Next:
The Hawks will look to bounce back as they continue to travel on the road as they will face United States Coast Guard Academy on October 28th for a 7:00 PM match up.

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