Box Score HENNIKER, N.H. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's volleyball team bounced back in a big way Thursday night, delivering a dominant 3-0 sweep of the New England College Pilgrims.
 
The Basics
Final Score: VTSU Castleton 3, New England College 0
Location: Bridges Gym – Henniker, N.H.
Records: VTSU Castleton 9-9 | New England College 5-11
 
How It Happened
Castleton came into Thursday's non-conference matchup looking to bounce back from a tough loss against Skidmore College. The Spartans answered that challenge with one of their best performances, sweeping the Pilgrims in straight sets. The opening set was a back-and-forth battle, featuring 11 ties and five lead changes. Both teams traded runs early, with Brianna Walsh and Madison Sheehan pacing the offense with timely kills. In the final run of the set, a service ace from Alondra Rojas, multiple kills from Jocelyn Ray, and a block from Olivia Smith helped the Spartans pull ahead. New England responded with two straight points to tie it again, but a kill from Walsh followed by a Pilgrims error secured the 26-24 win for the Spartans.  
 
The second set saw the Spartans dial in offensively, hitting an impressive .341 as a team while limiting errors. Ray came alive with four of her nine kills, and Rojas continued to direct the offense, tallying 13 kills in this set alone. Though the Pilgrims attempted a late push, strong back-row play from Nicolette Vaughn and Walsh kept rallies alive and allowed Castleton to close out the set, 25-22.
 
The Spartans wasted no time setting the tone in the final set, using aggressive serving to overwhelm the Pilgrims 25-15 to complete the sweep. After a service error on the first point, the Spartans quickly took control thanks to back-to-back service aces from Walsh, followed by a kill from Sheehan, giving Castleton an early 5-1 lead. They continued to apply pressure from the service line and at the net, with Sam Ford, Smith, and Walsh each contributing kills to extend the advantage. New England tried to respond, but a strong of errors, including three straight points on miscommunication, kept Castleton comfortably ahead. The Spartans offense remained steady posting 17 kills to NEC's seven, while the defense held the Pilgrims to a .086 hitting percentage.
 
 
 
By the Numbers
           

• Walsh led the Spartans with 12 kills, and added 13 digs and two aces.
• Ray and Sheehan contributed heavily on the net with nine and eight kills respectively and one block each.
• 10 different Spartans recorded either a kill, ace, or assist in the third set.
• Castleton outhit New England College .214 to .139.

What's Next
The Spartans are on the road again for a Little East Conference matchup against the Plymouth State Panthers on October 11 at 1 PM.