Box Score NEW LONDON, N.H. -- Maine Maritime punched its ticket to a sixth straight North Atlantic Conference championship game with a 3-1 win over Husson Friday night. The Mariners, which avenged a 3-2 to loss to the Eagles two weeks ago, will take on Colby-Sawyer in a rematch of last year's championship game.
The championship match is slated for Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Live stats can viewed here and live video will be streamed here.
The Mariners (13-11) rallied to win three straight sets to knock off the Eagles, 20-25, 25-20, 25-22 and 25-20.
Maine Maritime junior Ariel Knights (Brookton, Maine) recorded nine kills and added 12 digs. Sophomore Sydney Robertson (Barnstead, N.H.) added eight kills and six blocks and Senior setter Jennifer Dixon (Woodstock, Md.) tallied 22 assists, 12 digs and five aces. The Mariners, who lead the nation in aces per set, compiled 18 Friday.
Husson's Hannah Olstad (Farmington, N.H.) recorded her 1000th career kill and led all players with 14. but it was not enough as Maine Maritime rallied to win three straight sets after dropping the first. Olstad also added 11 digs and five aces. Junior Kelsey Burrill (Somersworth, N.H.) recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs. Senior setter Aleta Johnson (Milton, N.H.) also reached double figures in two categories with a match-high 31 assists and 14 digs. Husson's record falls to 16-10 on the season.
Also in the semifinals,
Colby-Sawyer 3, Castleton 0 (25-10, 25-10, 25-8)
Colby-Sawyer was led by the conference Player of the Year, Jackie Keating (Marshfield, Mass.). She compiled 18 kills and hit .680. Rookie of the Year Laura Smolinski (Hebron, Conn.) collected 36 assists. Junior Ally Le-Bruno (Medfield, Mass.), who was the conference Defensive Player of the Year, had a match-high 12 digs and four aces. The Chargers improve their record to 17-13 and make back-to-back title appearances for the first time since 2007 and 2008.
Castleton was led by freshman Amanda Chambers (Lake George, N.Y.). She recorded five kills and seven digs. Senior Nicole Valastro (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) had a team best nine digs. The Spartans are now 9-12 on the season.
