MANCHESTER, N.H. - The Southern New Hampshire volleyball team split its doubleheader matches Saturday. The team would drop the first match to New York Institute of Technology by a score of 3-1 with set scores of 25-27, 25-19, 25-20, and 31-29. The Penmen defeated Post in its second game of the day 3-1 with set scores of 25-18, 24-26, 25-13, and 25-20. SNHU moves to 2-4 overall.  

In game one, Freshman Emma Houlihan (Shoreham, N.Y.) led the Penmen with 22 kills to go along with five digs and two blocks. Erica Solomon (Islip Terrace, N.Y.) would total 14 kills and a team-high 17 digs in the four sets. Libero Kendra Mikuta (Orland Park, Ill.) also contributed 17 digs for the Penmen defensively. Freshman Catherine Cotton (Murphy, Texas) added 42 assists, while totaling nine kills for the game.

For the Bears, four players reached double-digits in the kill category. Shelby Cable led the Bears with 17 kills along with 10 digs. Libero Tugce Sirdas totaled a game-high 25 digs and two service aces to push NYIT over the Penmen.

In the second game of the day, the Penmen would put the Post Eagles away in four games. SNHU was led offensively by Solomon who contributed 16 kills along with nine digs. Houlihan also added an offensive spark with 16 kills, bringing her kill total to 38 on the day.

Cotton led all setters with 33 assists; she also added two service aces to the scoreboard. Mikuta would lead the Penmen defensively again while tallying 20 digs.

The Eagles had key contributions from setter Julia Slyaktina who added had 30 assists in the second game. Kelly Hayes led Post with 11 kills, while Kelli Reynolds posted 10 kills in the match.

The Penmen return to action on Tuesday, September 11, when they host cross-town opponent Saint Anselm College for a 7:00 pm non-conference match.