Mancini and Dippel Propel Gulls to 3-0 Sweep of Wentworth

BEVERLY, Mass. - The Endicott College women's volleyball team extended its win streak to five straight after sweeping Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) foe Wentworth on Wednesday night. The Gulls, now 7-5 (1-0) on the season, will travel to Salve Regina on Saturday.

Endicott took control of the match early, taking the first set by a 25-13 score in which the Gulls hit .261 (12-6-23) while holding the Leopards to a -.077 (5-7-26) line. The second set would be closer, but Endicott's defensive efforts forced Wentworth to hit negative again as the visitors ht -.029 after committing seven errors to six kills on 35 attempts. The third and final set saw Endicott rally from a 20-15 deficit to win by a 26-24 score, clinching the sweep.

Emma Mancini (Lynnfield, Mass.) and Alex Dippel (Fallston, Md.) led the offensive attack for the Gulls as both outsides posted 14 kills in the match. Mancini's 14 kills came on a match-high .542 average as she committed just one hitting error on 24 attempts. The junior also added seven digs and three aces to her night. For Dippel, the sophomore finished the match hitting .294 (14-4-34), second highest in the match, while also adding five digs. 

BEYOND THE BOX

Setter Zoey Gifford (Natick, Mass.) notched 35 assists in the three set victory, her second highest total of the season. The sophomore also picked up nine digs, two kills and an ace in the match.

Libero Cydney Pierce (Carpinteria, Calif.) tied with Gifford for the team lead with nine digs, while fellow defensive specialists Mackenzie Kennedy (Andover, Mass.) and Nicole Trudon (Coventry, Conn.) contributed eight and five, respectively. 

Endicott is now 21-0 all-time against the Leopards as the Gulls have won 63 of 67 sets in the series. The win tonight handed Wentworth its first of the season as the Leopards are now 11-1.

FOR THE FOES

Outsides Leah Rogoz (Woodridge, Ill.) and Claire Quick (Mission Viejo, Calif.) each finished with eight kills to lead the Leopards. Rogoz hit .240 (8-2-25) and picked up five digs while Quick added 10 digs and an ace in the setback.

Libero Lexie Cambray (Bedford, N.H.) finished with 10 digs, tying her with Quick for the match-high.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott travels to Newport, R.I. to continue CCC play on Saturday against Salve Regina at 11:00 a.m. Wentworth also continues CCC play on Saturday as they will play host to Western New England at 2:00 p.m.