CASTINE--The Maine Maritime Academy women's volleyball won its season opener in resounding fashion to usher in the Heather Benson coaching era. The Mariners swept visiting Southern Maine 25-13, 25-20, 25-14 behind sophomore Sydney Williams' match-high 13 kills in the second match of the 2024 Coast of Maine Classic on Friday evening at Smith Gymnasium.

How it Happened

• Williams also led all student-athletes with three total blocks
• Sophomore Ally Hadley turned in a terrific all-around match for the Mariners with eight kills, three aces, seven assists and six digs
• Senior setter Katie Albritton paced MMA with 23 assists
• Anyelis Hernandez led the USM offense with six kills, while Macie Ahmer served up a match-best six aces and had 10 assists.
• The Mariners dominated the stat sheet in hitting percentage (.337 to minus-.024), kills (39-17), points (53-29) and digs (38-31)

First Set

• Maine Maritime got off to a hot start thanks to a .556 attack percentage to win the frame by 12 points

Second Set

• Then in the middle frame, MMA stormed back from a 15-7 deficit to score seven consecutive points on Albritton's serve.
• The Mariners went on to take a 2-0 lead in the match by going on an 11-4 run to end the set. Kills by junior Sam Urch and senior Chloe Weeks put MMA ahead for good at 20-18.

Third Set

• Maine Maritime sealed the victory by opening the final frame with an 11-0 run.
• The Mariners outhit the Huskies .423 to .100.

Up Next
It's a quick turnaround for Maine Maritime as the hosts conclude Coast of Maine tomorrow against University of New England (10 a.m.) and Saint Joseph's College of Maine (4 p.m.).