The set scores were 25-22, 25-20 and 25-21.
UNH wins its fourth consecutive match and ups its overall record to 10-7 and 2-0 in America East play. UAlbany drops its first conference match of the season and slips to 6-8, 1-1. The Wildcats notch their 13th straight win versus a conference opponent.
Muses set a new career-high in hitting percentage with a .625 clip, backboned by 12 kills on 16
swings and two errors. She also scooped up 13 digs in the win. Junior setter Keelin Severtson (Delray Beach, Fla.) turned in a balanced effort of 36 assists, six digs, four service aces and four kills. Senior outside hitter Tori Forrest (Powder Springs, Ga.) slammed a team-high 13 kills while chipping in five digs. Senior defensive specialist Madison Lightfoot (Clarkston, Mich.) shoveled out a match-high 17 digs. UNH's defense stymied UAlbany to hit .108 on the evening.
Junior outside hitter Laini Leindecker paced the Great Danes with a double-double effort of 12 kills and 13 digs. Classmate Mikala McCauley also logged a double-double performance, chalking up 26 assists and 10 digs. Rookie Nicole Otero anchored the backline with 13 digs.
UNH sparked out to a 5-0 lead out of the gate, forcing UAlbany to burn an early timeout. The Great Danes battled back, methodically narrowing the Wildcats' lead down to 15-13. UNH would not relinquish its lead, churning out a swift three-point surge to power ahead, 18-13. UAlbany used another timeout and was able to rally late in the set to pull within a point, 20-19. Clenching onto its slim lead, UNH looked to regain its composure by calling a timeout. The huddle proved to be effective as the offense was able to carry the blue and white to the first set win, landing timely kills from senior middle blocker Cassidy Croci (Sylvania, Ohio), Severtson and Forrest.
New Hampshire's offense fired on all cylinders in the second set, registering 18 kills and a .300 hitting percentage. UNH was the first to hit the 10-point threshold with a 10-7 advantage. The Great Danes inched within two points on a couple of hitting miscues by the 'Cats, 11-9. However, Muses struck three straight kills followed by a Great Dane attack error to give UNH a 15-9 lead midway through the frame. After a timeout by the Great Danes, the home team was able to make it a close contest, looking up at 20-19 deficit on the scoreboard. Despite the late rally, terminations from Muses and Severtson combined with hitting errors by UAlbany forged a 5-1 UNH run down the stretch and gave the 'Cats the second set and a 2-0 lead at intermission.
Three consecutive aces from Severtson helped the Wildcats bolt out to a 9-3 lead to start the third stanza as UAlbany opted to take another early breather. New Hampshire was able to preserve its six-point cushion midway through the deciding frame, owning a 16-9 edge. Errors plagued the 'Cats as the visitors saw their seven-point lead lead dwindle to two points at the 18-16 mark. UNH was able to recompose themselves, jumpstarted by a combo block from senior outside hitter Maggie Kenney (Merrimack, N.H.) and Gabri Olhava (Mount Prospect, Ill.). Terminations from Forrest and Muses combined by attack errors from the Great Danes bridged the last points needed to complete the sweep and capture the road victory.
UNH aims for its fifth straight win, visiting Binghamton University on Sunday, Oct. 4 (1 p.m.). The 'Cats return to the confines of Lundholm Gymnasium on Sunday, Oct. 11 (1 p.m.) to welcome the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
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