WENHAM, Mass. – The Husson University women's volleyball team wrapped up play at the Gordon Invitational on Saturday afternoon, falling to Gordon College and the United States Merchant Marine Academy by scores of 3-0 and 3-0.
Gordon 3, Husson 0:
The Eagles (0–2) came out strong in the first set, trading points early behind kills from freshman Ellie Shelton and junior Janna Preskorn. A service ace from sophomore Mikayla Gray cut the Fighting Scots' (1-1) lead to 9–7, but Gordon responded with a run midway through the frame to pull ahead. Husson continued to battle with points from freshman Kate McPhee in the middle and another swing from Shelton before the hosts closed out the set, 25–14.
In the second set, Husson again stayed within striking distance in the opening stages. Sophomore Amanda Mei Morse anchored the defense with several digs that extended rallies, while Preskorn and Gray added kills to keep the Eagles close at 11–8. A pair of block assists from Shelton and McPhee helped slow Gordon's attack, but the Fighting Scots used a late surge to take the set by the same 25–14 margin.
The third set featured Husson's best stretch of the match. After trailing 24–15, the Eagles rattled off five straight points, highlighted by a service ace from freshman Peyton Hooker and kills by Shelton and Preskorn, trimming the deficit to 24–20. The rally showcased Husson's resilience, though Gordon managed the final point to close the match.
Preskorn led the Husson attack with five kills, seven digs, and seven assists, while Shelton added five kills and two blocks. Gray contributed four kills, nine digs, and two aces, and McPhee was efficient in the middle with three kills on .400 hitting. Defensively, Morse collected a team-high 13 digs, and setters Hooker (7 assists, 4 digs, 1 ace) and freshman Autumn Balyint (3 assists, 1 ace) directed the offense. As a team, the Eagles finished with 21 kills, 45 digs, five aces, and three blocks.
USMMA 3, Husson 0:
Husson (0–3) opened the first set with momentum, racing out to a 7–1 lead behind early kills from Preskorn and Gray, along with a service ace from Preskorn. The Eagles continued to battle throughout the frame, but a late rally by Merchant Marine (2–0) allowed the Mariners to claim the opener, 25–19.
The second set saw the Eagles keep pace once again. Kills from Preskorn and Shelton, along with strong defensive play from Mei Morse, kept Husson within striking distance. A service ace from Gray trimmed the deficit to three late, but Merchant Marine held on for another 25–19 win to go up two sets.
The Mariners carried their momentum into the third set, using a strong serving stretch to build an early advantage. Husson responded with points from Preskorn, Shelton, and sophomore Kimberly Daniels, but USMMA secured the match with a 25–13 decision.
Hooker and Balyint directed the Husson offense, combining for 20 assists, while the Eagles totaled 53 digs and four service aces as a team.
Husson returns to the court on Friday when it battles New England College at 6 p.m. in Henniker, N.H.
