Castine, ME - The Husson University Eagles volleyball team was on the road again on Tuesday night, this time traveling to face the North Atlantic Conference rival Maine Maritime Academy Mariners in a match that will not count towards this year's conference standings.

If this matchup was any indicator, it will be a tight bout when the teams meet again in conference play on October 25 at Husson's Newman Gymnasium.  

MMA was able to use their home court to their advantage tonight, eking out a straight-set victory (25-21, 25-19, 26-24).   

The teams were neck-and-neck in most statistical categories for the match, with the Mariners holding the edge in kills and aces and the Eagles controlling the digs and blocks.  

MMA (1-6) was led by Gillian O'Neal with 14 kills and three aces, while Sydney Robertson put away eight kills and five aces with two solo blocks.  Betsy Trenckmann distributed the ball well for the Mariners, totaling 22 assists on the night.  Jess Menges was strong defensively, picking up 15 digs.  

Husson (3-11) got solid contributions from a number of players, with Emma Plouffe (Frankfort, NY) leading the way with eight kills on 19 attacks.  First-year middle hitter Bailey Cote (Biddeford, ME) continued her solid play with six kills on 13 attacks, and Nia Arranaga (San Jose, CA) chipped in with three kills and two aces.  Libero Sarah Wilson (Dover, NH) collected a match-high 21 digs, while Kayla Hannon (Salem, NH) passed out 15 assists.  Alexandra deHertogh (Cumberland, RI) was also a wall at the net, totaling 4.5 blocks (3 solo, 3 assists).

"It was great competition, but unfortunately we came up just short," Husson head coach Jodie Fairbank said after the match.  "It was also a good chance to see a conference opponent before NAC play starts," she added.

Husson will be back in action this coming weekend when they head to Vermont for two matches on Saturday.  The Eagles will face Norwich University at their home court at noon, followed by a matchup with Bridgewater State University at 2 p.m.