BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. — The Husson University volleyball team challenged Massachusetts Maritime Academy in a pair of closely contested sets before falling 3-0 in non-conference action Saturday at the Clean Harbors Center.
The Eagles (2-13) fell by set scores of 25-17, 26-24 and 25-23.
Husson opened the first set with a 2-0 lead following a Preskorn service ace, but Massachusetts Maritime (6-10) responded and eventually built a 14-6 advantage.
The Eagles answered with four consecutive points, receiving kills from sophomore Peyton Hooker, junior Autumn Peterson and Preskorn before Hooker added a service ace to cut the deficit to 14-10. Husson continued to battle, but the Buccaneers maintained their lead to claim the opening set.
Husson started the second set strong, building a 6-3 advantage before Massachusetts Maritime rallied to move ahead 7-6. Junior Lilly Andreasen responded with a kill, and freshman Kiara Griffin followed with a service ace as the Eagles regained the lead.
With the teams tied at 12-12, Husson scored five straight points behind three kills from Preskorn, one from Andreasen and a Peterson service ace to take a 17-12 advantage.
The Eagles remained ahead 21-17 before the Buccaneers answered with five consecutive points. Peterson delivered a kill to bring Husson even at 22-22, and Preskorn later put the Eagles at set point with a finish that made it 24-23. Massachusetts Maritime claimed the next three points to take the set 26-24.
Husson continued to battle in the third, turning a 7-4 deficit into a 9-7 lead with five consecutive points. Andreasen contributed two kills during the run, while Griffin added another service ace.
The teams traded points through the middle of the set before the Buccaneers pulled ahead 18-16. Husson responded with another five-point run, highlighted by kills from Hooker, Peterson and Andreasen, along with a combined block from Peterson and Andreasen, to move in front 21-18.
Massachusetts Maritime tied the score at 21-21, but consecutive attack errors gave Husson a 23-21 advantage. The Buccaneers then scored the final four points to secure the 25-23 victory and complete the match.
Preskorn led the Eagles with 11 kills while hitting .237 and added 13 digs, a service ace and a solo block. Andreasen finished with seven kills, 13 digs and a block assist, while Hooker contributed six kills, a team-high 15 digs and two service aces.
Freshman Eden Fraser handed out 19 assists to go along with nine digs and two kills. Griffin recorded 10 digs and two aces, while Peterson added three kills, six digs, three assists, an ace and a block assist.
Husson finished with 29 kills, 27 assists, six service aces, 66 digs and two total blocks.
The Eagles will return to North Atlantic Conference play Saturday, Oct. 17, when they face Vermont State University Johnson in a doubleheader. The matches are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
