Paxton Thornton leads WestConn over Vassar, 3-1

Wesleyan tops Babson 3-0 in Match #2

BOX SCORE

DANBURY, CT (Oct. 23) — The Western Connecticut State University volleyball team, led by freshman Paxton Thornton’s (Sharon, CT) 14 kills, extended its winning streak to 11 matches with a 3-1 win over Vassar College Friday evening in the first match of the WestConn Classic at  Feldman Arena.

With game one tied 9-9, junior Danielle Spangler (Simi Valley, CA) stepped to the service line and started a five-point run that forced Vassar to call a timeout at 14-9.  Vassar captured the next point, but the Colonials cruised to a 25-19 win in game one.

In game two, Vassar took control late behind the hitting of Chloe McGuire (Davis, CA) to win by a 25-20 score.

In the third game of the match, WestConn again took control extending a 13-7 lead to 17-7.  Vassar fought back taking the next five points, prompting the WestConn bench to take a timeout.  Coach Poole’s message clearly helped WestConn regain its focus and the Colonials took game three by a 25-17 margin.

Vassar turned the tables on WestConn in game four and took the lead after a close score early.  Trailing 17-13, WestConn went on a five-point run to take an 18-17 lead, but Vassar battled back to take a 20-19 advantage.  The Colonials won five of the next six points, and on match-point sophomore Michelle Hearns (Bedford Hills, NY) blasted a cross-court kill to give WestConn a 25-21 victory in game four, and the match, 3-1.

With the win, WestConn’s season record now stands at 22-5, while Vassar falls to 16-6.  The WestConn Classic Volleyball Tournament continues at Feldman Arena on Saturday, October 24th, with WestConn taking on Babson College at 9:00am.  Vassar and Wesleyan square off at 11:30am, followed by Babson and Vassar at 2:00pm.  The final match of the weekend will feature the Colonials against Wesleyan at 4:30pm. 

WestConn             -               25     20     25       25           -               3
Vassar                   -               19     25     17       21           -               1

WCSU Highlights
Paxton Thornton – 14 kills
Becca Stein – 12 kills, 3 blocks
Kelley Collins – 31 digs
Sammie Hathaway – 38 assists

Vassar Highlights
Chloe McGuire – 12 kills, 14 digs, 2 aces
Hilary Koenigs – 30 assists, 12 digs
Chelsea Mottern – 19 digs

In the second match of the evening, Wesleyan swept Babson College by scores of 25-18, 25-13, and 25-23 to claim a 3-0 victory.  The Cardinals raise their season record to 10-12, while the Beavers fall to 12-11. 

Wesleyan              -               25     25     25       -               3
Babson                  -               18     13     23       -               0