CASTINE, Maine — The Husson University volleyball team dropped a North Atlantic Conference matchup to Maine Maritime Academy in straight sets on Wednesday evening at Smith Gymnasium.
The Eagles (6–16, 4–1 NAC) battled throughout the evening against the Mariners, who entered the night atop the conference standings and showcased one of the most efficient offenses in the league with a .563 team hitting percentage.
Maine Maritime (15-7, 5-0 NAC) jumped out to a fast start, capitalizing on several early kills from Sydney Williams and Ally Hadley to build an 8–1 lead. Junior Janna Preskorn put Husson on the board with a kill from freshman Peyton Hooker, and later added another point off an assist from Hooker to narrow the gap. Junior Alana Peruti contributed a service ace midway through the set, but the Mariners' front line continued to apply pressure with a 6–0 run to close out the frame, 25–10.
The Eagles found their rhythm early in the second set, highlighted by a pair of kills from graduate student Julia Leavitt and sophomore Mikayla Gray that helped Husson stay close through the opening points. Senior Leah Peloquin later delivered a service ace to bring the Eagles within striking distance at 11–7. However, the Mariners' offense—powered by Ila Smith and Williams—answered with a long service run and a series of kills to secure the set 25–11.
Husson showed fight early in the final frame as Preskorn opened the scoring with back-to-back kills. The Mariners responded with a 7–0 run behind Smith's efficient hitting and two service aces from Hadley to take control. The Eagles picked up points from freshman Daley Foss and Leavitt, but Maine Maritime's front-row dominance proved too much as the hosts closed out the match 25–8.
Preskorn led Husson with five kills, eight assists, and six points, while Gray tallied five kills. Leavitt added three kills, and Hooker contributed nine assists and three digs.
The Eagles finished with 17 kills, 15 digs, and three aces, while the Mariners tallied 40 kills, 15 aces, and four total blocks.
Husson will return to action at home on Friday when it welcomes Thomas College to town for a 6 p.m. NAC contest.
