BANGOR, Maine — The Husson University volleyball team bounced back from a five-set loss to earn a four-set victory over the University of Maine at Presque Isle in a North Atlantic Conference doubleheader Tuesday evening at Newman Gymnasium.
The Eagles rallied from a two-set deficit in the opener before falling 23-25, 17-25, 25-19, 25-19, 13-15. Husson responded with a 25-15, 23-25, 25-22, 25-20 victory in the second match to secure the split.
Match 1: UMaine-Presque Isle 3, Husson 2
Husson put together a strong start in the opening set, scoring nine consecutive points to turn a 3-2 deficit into an 11-3 lead. Freshman Kiara Griffin served two aces during the run, while sophomore Peyton Hooker and junior Lilly Andreasen each contributed two kills.
The Owls gradually worked back into the set and eventually moved ahead 24-20. Husson fought off three set points, including a service ace from Hooker, before UMaine-Presque Isle secured the 25-23 victory.
The teams remained close early in the second set before the Owls pulled away for a 25-17 win and a two-set advantage.
Husson responded in the third, overcoming an early 6-3 deficit and moving ahead 15-10 following a service ace from senior Janna Preskorn and an Owls attack error. UMaine-Presque Isle later closed within 20-18, but Preskorn delivered a kill to begin a four-point run that included an ace from freshman Eden Fraser. Preskorn added the final kill to give the Eagles a 25-19 victory.
The Eagles faced another deficit in the fourth set, trailing 11-4 before working back into contention. Preskorn served an ace and Andreasen delivered consecutive kills during a five-point run that tied the score at 12-12.
Later trailing 17-15, Husson scored seven consecutive points to take control. Junior Autumn Peterson began the stretch with a kill and added two service aces as the Eagles moved ahead 22-17. Hooker finished the set with a kill to secure another 25-19 win and force a deciding fifth set.
Husson held an early 5-3 advantage in the fifth before the Owls rallied to take the lead. Facing a 14-11 deficit, the Eagles fought off two match points to pull within one, but UMaine-Presque Isle secured the final point for the 15-13 victory.
Preskorn led Husson with 13 kills, 15 digs and six service aces, while Andreasen recorded 12 kills and a team-high 25 digs. Peterson added a double-double with 10 kills and 15 digs, along with two aces.
Hooker contributed seven kills, 22 digs and two aces, while Griffin collected 13 digs and two aces. Fraser handed out 31 assists and added nine digs, and freshman Emery Ballard finished with three block assists.
The Eagles totaled 43 kills, 35 assists, 13 service aces, 100 digs and five blocks.
Match 2: Husson 3, UMaine-Presque Isle 1
Husson established an early advantage in the second match and maintained its lead throughout the opening set. Leading 17-14, the Eagles scored four consecutive points, including a combined block from Fraser and Peterson and back-to-back Andreasen service aces. Husson later claimed the final four points, capped by a Preskorn kill, to take the set 25-15.
UMaine-Presque Isle answered in the second set, building a 23-18 advantage. The Eagles continued to battle and fought off three set points to close within 24-23 before the Owls secured the final point to even the match.
Husson rallied from a 13-7 deficit in the third set with seven unanswered points. Peterson opened the run with a kill and later added an ace, while Andreasen contributed consecutive kills and Preskorn added another to help the Eagles move ahead 14-13.
After the Owls tied the score, Husson responded with six straight points, highlighted by two Preskorn aces and two Andreasen kills, to take a 20-14 lead. UMaine-Presque Isle trimmed the margin late, but Preskorn finished the set with a kill to give the Eagles a 25-22 victory.
The fourth set remained close through a 15-15 tie before Peterson and Ballard combined for a block and Preskorn followed with a kill to put Husson ahead. The Eagles maintained their advantage, with Andreasen serving an ace during a three-point stretch that extended the lead to 22-18.
Hooker and Peterson added late kills before Preskorn delivered the final point to secure the 25-20 win.
Preskorn finished with 14 kills and 12 digs, while Andreasen added 12 kills, 15 digs and four service aces. Hooker also recorded a double-double with 10 kills and a team-high 21 digs, adding two aces.
Peterson contributed nine kills, 15 digs and three block assists. Fraser directed the offense with 38 assists, seven digs and two block assists, while Griffin added eight digs and two aces.
Husson finished the second match with 46 kills, 42 assists, 12 service aces, 78 digs and five blocks.
Husson will wrap up its season Saturday when it travels to Thomas College for a doubleheader, with matches scheduled for 1 and 3 p.m.
