Bangor, ME - The Husson University volleyball team played its first match at the Newman Gymnasium since August 30 on Tuesday night in front of one of the biggest crowds for volleyball in recent memory.  

The Eagles would use home court advantage to their benefit, taking a hard-fought four-set win against the University of Maine at Machias Clippers (25-20, 25-9, 25-27, 25-17).

Serving was a big key of the night for Husson, as they were able to amass 39 aces with just nine errors in the four games.  

The night started out rough for Husson (5-12), as the Clippers raced out to a 7-0 lead in the first set which forced the Eagles into an early timeout.  Husson was able to turn it around from there, stringing together a few runs to close the gap and take a lead they would not relinquish.  

Husson rode the wave of momentum from the comeback into set two, where the Eagles coasted to a big win.  Nia Arranaga (San Jose, CA) spearheaded the HU charge, serving up an eight point run to give the Eagles a 13-4 lead that proved too large for Machias to overcome.  Bailey Cote (Biddeford, ME) was impressive in game two for Husson, putting away three kills on four attacks to lead the offense.  

Husson switched lineups going into game three, and while the new group of players put together for a solid set, the Clippers (3-5) were able to extend the match with a win that went more than the normal distance of 25 points.  Rashell Saucier (Washburn, ME) made the most of the court time she got for Husson, putting down four kills on 11 attacks in the third set.    

Eagles' coach Jodie Fairbank put the starting lineup back in for game four, and Arranaga again was effective with a pair of kills and and some un-returnable serves that proved too much for the Clippers to handle as HU salted away the win. 

Arranaga finished the night with 10 aces and four kills for the Eagles.  Cote and Emma Plouffe (Frankfort, NY) each led the offensive attack with six kills apiece, while Ryan Hood (Princeton, ME), Kayla Hannon (Salem, NH) and Kaitlyn Carl (East Machias, ME) all served up five aces apiece.  

Sarah Wilson (Dover, NH) continued her solid play as the libero with 23 digs in the match, while Hood dished out 11 assists and Hannon added seven helpers.  

Jodie Wood paced the Clippers offense with six kills on 11 attacks, while Hailey Lacey added five and Heather Leonard had three.  Amanda Preston handed out 15 assists for UMM, while Lacey led the defense with 13 digs and Preston and Leonard each picked up 11.  

"It was great to come back home and get the win," Fairbank said after the match.  

"I liked that we were able to get everyone some playing time tonight because it's important to get all our young players some time as we build the program towards the future.  Our serving was great all night, and overall it was just a great team effort," she added.  

Husson will be back on the road this weekend when they head to Trinity College in Connecticut for two matches on Saturday.  The Eagles will face Trinity at 1 p.m., followed by a matchup with Wesleyan at 3.