When and Where: September 13, 2024 – Wilmington, Del. (Wilmington University Athletics Complex)
Match 1 Score: Wilmington (Del.) University 3, Southern New Hampshire University 0
Match 2 Score: Shepherd University 3, Southern New Hampshire University 0
Records: SNHU 0-5, WU 2-3, SU 6-0

Freshman Addie Garn (Gilbert, Ariz.)  posted a double-double of 20 assists and 20 digs in the second match, as the Southern New Hampshire University women's volleyball team began the Wildcat Regional Invitational by losing a pair of matches Friday. The Penmen were blanked, 3-0, by host Wilmington (Del.) University in the morning, before dropping another three-set affair in the afternoon versus Shepherd University.

STANDOUT PERFORMERS

• Garn – 20 assists, 23 digs, 4 aces, 2 blocks
• Senior Julia Cavalcanti (Vineyard, Utah) – 16 kills, 3 aces, 2 blocks

KEY MOMENTS – WILMINGTON MATCH

• Southern New Hampshire was within 18-17 in the opening set when Wilmington reeled off seven of the next eight points to go up, 1-0, in the match.
• The Wildcats jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the second stanza, but a 6-1 run – with a pair of kills from Cavalcanti – brought the Penmen back in it. After Wilmington went up by five later in the set, SNHU responded with an 8-1 burst – buoyed by a pair of aces from junior Laura Haas (Londonderry, N.H.), as well as two kills and an ace from Cavalcanti – to seize a 16-14 edge. A kill late in the set from sophomore Elsa Gilmore (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) put the Penmen in front, 24-23, but the Wildcats answered with three straight points, including an ace that ended it.
• Wilmington led, 13-10, in the third before constructing a 12-4 run that ended the match.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE – WILMINGTON MATCH

• Set scores were 25-18, 26-24, 25-14.
• Cavalcanti led the way, offensively, with 10 kills on .389 hitting.
• Senior Deanne Wilson (Buffalo, N.Y.) added six kills, a pair of aces and eight digs.
• Sophomore Angela Mateos (Seville, Spain) and sophomore Daya Jean-Baptiste (Miami, Fla.) each posted five kills.
• Junior Ella Koelb (Auburn, N.H.) dished out 24 assists.
• Wilmington outhit SNHU in all three sets, including .292-.075, overall.
• The Wildcats held advantages in blocks (5-1) and aces (13-9).

KEY MOMENTS – SHEPHERD MATCH

• SNHU was in front, 20-16, in the opening set, but Shepherd ripped off eight-in-a-row to leapfrog the Penmen, 24-20. SNHU would battle back to within 24-23, but a kill gave the Rams a 1-0 lead in the match.
• Shepherd led, 18-17, in the second stanza and scored seven of the next nine points to make it 2-0.
• The Penmen raced out to a 5-0 lead in the third, but a 13-3 blitz put the Rams up, 13-8. Shepherd held on to a 19-17 advantage later in the set when it notched six of the next nine points to clinch the victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE – SHEPHERD MATCH

• Set scores were 25-23, 25-19, 25-20.
• Gilmore notched 10 kills, two blocks and a pair of digs.
• Cavalcanti registered six kills and two aces.
• Jean-Baptiste tallied five kills, three aces, five blocks and four digs.
• Garn posted a double-double of 20 assists and 20 digs, while adding three kills, two aces and a pair of blocks.
• Junior Caelan Cook (Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.) chipped in four kills and two digs.
• Wilson added two kills and nine digs.
• Shepherd outhit SNHU in all three sets, including .188-.047, overall.
• The Penmen owned a 9-7 edge in aces, while the Rams held a 7-6 margin in blocks.

NOTES

• In the first meeting not on a neutral court, Wilmington picks up its first win against the Penmen, who lead the all-time series, 3-1. This was the first matchup between the two teams since Oct. 19, 2019.
• The Rams lead the all-time series, 2-0. The previous meeting came Aug. 25, 2018 – a 3-1 Shepherd win – at Saint Anselm College's Stoutenburgh Gymnasium.

WHAT'S NEXT

• The Penmen wrap up the Wildcat Regional Invitational with two more matches Saturday (Sept. 14). SNHU takes on Thomas Jefferson University at 9 a.m., followed by Holy Family University at 4:30 p.m.
• SNHU is back home Friday, Oct. 4 (6 p.m.) when it plays host to Bentley University at the Field House.

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