SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Paced by a pair of dominant double-digit performances from Abby Reck and Anabel Zier, the Northeastern volleyball team (1-3) picked up its first victory of the season, taking down Lafayette (0-1) in five sets on Friday evening to open play at the Bryant Invitational.
 
Reck had a strong day, tallying a team-high 17 kills on .349 hitting, and Zier notched 15 kills while hitting at a blistering .407 clip. Defne Arliel also tallied double digits with 10 kills in the win.

• Set One: Both teams went back and forth to start the frame, with Lafayette beginning to pull away 14-11 after three straight points. The Huskies knotted the score up at 15, but the Leopards held onto a slim lead down the stretch to win the set 25-22.
• Set Two: The Huskies got off to a commanding 17-6 lead in the stanza and didn't look back. A kill from Arliel put the Huskies up 20-9, and Marika Virthe, who tallied a team-high four kills in the frame, sealed the 25-13 win.
• Set Three: The Leopards responded back, taking an early 7-4 advantage. The Huskies chipped away at the deficit throughout the frame but couldn't pull in front. Two straight errors by Lafayette made it 22-20, but the Leopards were able to hold on to win 25-21.
• Set Four: Reck and Zier were unstoppable, helping the Huskies storm out to a 15-5 lead. Northeastern remained in control for the entirety of the set with Zier putting the Huskies up 20-10, and then Reck ultimately closed out the set win for the Huskies with two kills. Zier and Reck were both perfect in the frame, with Zier tallying five kills (.714 hitting), and Reck with four kills (.800 hitting).
• Set Five: Both teams traded points, with Lafayette taking a 7-6 lead. The Huskies went on a 4-0 run, capped off by a kill from Zier to go up 10-7, and remained in front. A clutch service ace from Maddie Donaphon gave Northeastern a 13-8 advantage, and then a kill from Reck closed the set for the Huskies with a 15-10 win.
• Virthe chipped in with eight kills and two blocks.
• Jessica Frannea dished out a team-high 45 assists and 19 digs, her first double-double of the season.
• Arliel also tallied a career-high six service aces.
• Pono Gacutan notched a team-high 23 digs and two service aces.
• The match featured 20 ties, and seven lead changes.

The Huskies will continue play at the Bryant Invitational on Saturday, September 2. Northeastern will face Siena at 4 p.m., and then host Bryant at 7 p.m. The matches will be streamed on AmericaEast.TV.
 
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