UMBC

Sophomore Hannah Schmidt

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – UMBC sophomore Hannah Schmidt (Catonsville, Md./Mount de Sales) notched her team-leading tenth double-double of the year as the UMBC volleyball team downed Providence in four sets (25-18, 25-27, 25-15, 25-15), Friday evening at Alumni Hall.

Schmidt recorded a match-high 16 kills and also scooped up 11 digs to lead the Retrievers as they swept Providence for the third straight season.

With the win, UMBC improves to 12-13 overall on the season and 5-3 in America East play while the Friars drop to 1-25 and 0-8 in conference play.

Schmidt was not alone on the attack for the Black and Gold as junior Emily Vandegrift (Leesburg, Va,/Loudoun County) and freshman Krystal Mlemchukwu (Baltimore, Md./Western Tech) recorded 13 kills and 11 kills, respectively.  Meanwhile, junior Ali Goc (Oshawa, Ontario/R.S McLaughlin) picked up a match-best 19 digs.  Junior setter Mallory McIntyre (Winnipeg, Manitoba/St. Mary’s Academy) came within one of her career-best, dishing out 50 assists.

Colleen McCollum registered a double-double for the Friars with 12 kills and 14 digs while Cassie Muzzonigro scooped up 18 digs.

The hosts took the initiative in the opening frame, winning the first four points and opened a 10-6 cushion.  The Retrievers battled back right away and took the lead during a 5-0 run which included two kills by Vandegrift.  From there UMBC thwarted any potential runs and closed out the set 25-18 on an attack error.

The second set saw Providence once again take the advantage, only to see UMBC rally again and turn around the set.  But after the Retrievers took a 15-11 lead, the Friars hung tough and held off a set point to tie the set at 24-24.  UMBC once again forced a set point, but Providence won three straight points to level the match with a 27-25 set win.

The third set began as a balanced contest until the visitors used a 4-0 run to take a 14-8 lead.  Once again the Retrievers held off the Friars and never let them closer than seven, cruising to a ten-point win, 25-15.

After a brief run by the Friars in the fourth, UMBC ran off six consecutive points to take an 8-4 lead and never looked back.  Providence could only pull within nine, 23-14, after three straight points, but three points later, Schmidt ended the contest with her final kill, giving UMBC the win.

UMBC now continues its road swing on Sunday when the squad visits New Hampshire.  The Retrievers and Wildcats are set to begin at 1 p.m. at Lundholm Gymnasium.

Dawg Bites

-           With the win, UMBC remains unbeaten against Providence in America East play and now leads the all-time series 9-2.

-          The Friars last defeated the Retrievers in 1989.