Bangor, ME -  The Husson University women's volleyball team came into Tuesday night's contest with the University of Southern Maine Huskies looking to pick up its fourth win in the last six matches.  

The Huskies would end up foiling that plan, and instead pick up their sixth straight win with a four set victory (25-17, 22-25, 25-14, 25-14). 

USM took an early lead in the match behind some great defense and timely serving.  The Huskies totaled four aces and 16 digs in game one, while Kristina Rubico put away three of her team-high 14 kills.  

The second game saw a big swing in momentum, as the Eagles took advantage of numerous USM miscues.  The Huskies committed nine hitting errors in game two, while Husson had none and was able to even the match at a game apiece.   

Game three was hotly contested, as the teams played to a 13-13 tie midway through.  The Huskies would then go on an 11 point run behind the strong serving of Kelsey Abramson.  She served up four aces during the flurry, while Rubico and the rest of the USM attack combined for 13 kills in the set to take a 2-1 advantage.

USM put the match away behind a monstrous fourth game in which the team combined for 12 kills on 25 attacks with just one error, good for a .440 hitting average. 

Eagles head coach Jodie Fairbank knew her team was right in the match, and ultimately felt it may help down the road, saying, "We definitely learned some things about ourselves for going forward.  Things we can and can't do.  I think we worked some things out." 

Renee Trottier and Jessica Garrett each contributed eight kills for the winners, while Megan Nilson dished out 27 assists to lead the USM offense.  

Freshman Kristen Atwood (Cumberland, ME) led the Eagles' offense with seven kills, while libero Kara Graham (East Machias, ME) picked up 22 digs.  

Fairbank was especially impressed with Atwood's performance, saying, "She was making very smart decisions, which is a big key in volleyball--not always doing the exact same thing over and over again.  She's good at mixing it up."

With the win, USM improves to 7-1 on the season while Husson falls to 3-6.  

The Eagles have a quick turnaround with another tough opponent ahead, as they host the Bates Bobcats Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Newman Gymnasium.