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Bowdoin Advances to NESCAC Championship with 3-1 Win
BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin College volleyball team will play for its first-ever NESCAC Championship on Sunday after defeating Trinity College 3-1 (25-17, 19-25, 25-17, 26-24) in the conference semifinals on Saturday afternoon at Morrell Gymnasium.
The top-seeded Polar Bears' record-setting season continues as they improve to 25-2 this year. The fourth-seeded Bantams likely finish their campaign with a mark of 19-9. Bowdoin will face the winner of the Tufts-Middlebury semifinal on Sunday at noon in Morrell Gymnasium for the NESCAC Championship.
The teams traded the opening two sets before Bowdoin pulled away in the third to carry a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth stanza. A see-saw set ensued, with the teams trading the lead before settling in a 24-24 tie.
Bowdoin notched the final two points in the fourth to secure the 26-24 decision and the 3-1 victory.
Kristin Hanczor was outstanding for the Polar Bears, totaling 13 kills and six blocks in the middle. Melissa Haskell delivered several key points down the stretch and finished with 12 kills and 15 digs. Setter Sophia Cornew delivered 40 assists to go with 13 digs and six kills while Taylor Vail pitched in a team-high 19 digs.
Hannah Brickley had 12 kills and 12 digs for the Bantams. Kelly O'Brien and Danielle Isaman supported her with seven kills each in the loss.
Sarah Blagden led the Trinity defense with 21 digs while Jennifer Low dished out 29 assists.
