HOUGHTON, N.Y. – The Wells College women's volleyball team posted a 3-0 victory against the Owls of the University of Maine at Presque Isle and dropped a tough 3-2 decision against the Saxons of Alfred University to conclude the 2012 season Saturday afternoon at the Houghton College Invitational. The Express conclude their inaugural season with an overall record of 3-30 alongside a North Eastern Athletic Conference mark of 1-10.
For her efforts in the Houghton Invitational, libero Nicole Loeven (Pawling, N.Y.) was selected to the All-Tournament team following play this afternoon. Loeven averaged 2.86 digs per set across the four games in the tournament while also chipping in five service aces.
The Express were able to silence the Owls of the University of Maine at Presque Isle in the day's opening contest, posting a 3-0 victory via set scores of 25-17, 25-11 and 25-10. The Express posted a team hitting percentage of .147, their best collective effort of the season. Freshman Zakarra Butts (Cortland, N.Y.) led the way with eight kills alongside only two errors for a team-best .429 percentage with 14 total attacks.
Outside hitter Katie Curtin (Cassville, N.Y.) posted 10 total kills, leading the team in that category. Setter Taryn Heath (Homer, N.Y.) contributed 20 of the team's 25 total assists while Loeven posted 10 digs on the match. Caitlyn Copfer (Clinton, N.Y.) hammered home a team-best three service aces in the contest. Both Loeven and Curtin were able to force home two service aces apiece.
In the season's finale, the Express and the Saxons traded sets until the decisive fifth set, captured ultimately by Alfred University. The Saxons posted a 3-2 victory via set scores of 25-20, 22-25, 25-17, 15-25 and 15-9. Wells College collects only their first loss in a three set match in program history.
Both Butts and Curtain contributed nine kills apiece. Butts also was able to hit a team-best .219, committing only two errors in 32 total attacks. Heath chipped in 24 assists in the match while Loeven posted 15 digs. Butts also proved to be a strong net front presence for the Express, earning three solo blocks. Loeven's 15 digs are the most ever recorded in a five set contest for Wells College.
Leilani Yasutake (Germantown, N.Y.) posted three kills alongside two blocks in the day's second match. Freshman Evelyn Abbott (Baldwinsville, N.Y.), Curtin and Loeven each recorded two service aces to lead the team in that category.
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