Links: Box Score

WALTHAM, Mass. – The Merrimack College women's volleyball program nearly stole the opening set on Tuesday evening against Bentley University, but the host Falcons recovered to take the first frame, 26-24. The Falcons won the following two frames to claim the Northeast-10 Conference match at the Dana Center, 3-0.

The Basics
Score: Bentley 3, Merrimack 0 (26-24 | 25-16 | 25-17)
Records: Merrimack (4-13, 2-3 NE10) | Bentley (7-10, 3-3 NE10)
Location: Hammel Court | North Andover, Mass.   

Set Breakdown

• After calling timeout following a 3-0 spurt that gave Bentley the lead, Merrimack proceeded to win 15 of 21 points to stake claim to a 20-14 advantage. The Warriors were hitting over .500 at the point in the set, totaling nine kills on 15 attacks. Needing just one point to claim the set (24-21), the Warriors saw the Falcons end the frame on a 5-0 run to rally and win the set
• The second frame started closely, with the local rivals exchanging the first 16 points to remain tied at eight-all. The Falcons broke it open there, however, winning eight of the next nine points to take a 16-9 advantage. The hosts kept Merrimack at bay from there, winning by nine points (25-16)
• Bentley surged forward, taking a 12-4 lead in the third set to gain control. The Warriors chipped away, however, winning nine of the next 14 points to cut their deficit to four, 17-13. Bentley quelled Merrimack's momentum with a 3-0 spurt that extended its lead back to seven, 20-13, and paved the way to a 25-17 victory

Top Performers

• Senior Katelynn Marr continued on her strong performance Saturday with a team-leading 10 kills on Tuesday night. The senior added nine digs, nearly recording her second straight double-double
• Junior Sydney Buran started off the night strong with 10 assists in the first set, and finished the contest with a match high of 27.
• Junior Catherine Flaherty recorded the most digs out of any player, finishing the night with 10.

Notes and Notables

• Merrimack edged Bentley in aces, 5-3. Marr led the team with two, bringing her team-leading total to 16 on the season.
• Since taking over as Merrimack's starting setter, Buran has totaled 158 assists over 19 sets for an average of 8.32 per frame

Up Next
Merrimack travels to Saint Michael's on Thursday night for a 7 p.m. NE10 tilt in Colchester, Vt.