MEDFORD, Mass. – The Maine Maritime Academy volleyball team fell 3-0 to No. 1 East Texas Baptist University in the first round of the NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament on Thursday afternoon.
 
In the first set, the Tigers (32-0) opened with a 9-3 lead over the Mariners (21-9). Maine Maritime fought back to make it 11-7 before East Texas Baptist pulled away to 23-7 and ultimately took the set 25-8.
 
In the second set, the Mariners showed poise, battling to a 12-12 tie midway through the frame. The Tigers responded with an 11-0 run to go up 23-12 and claimed the set 25-14.
 
East Texas Baptist controlled the third and final set, jumping out to a 7-0 lead and later a 19-2 advantage before closing out the match with a 25-7 win.
 
Senior Ila Smith led the Mariners with four kills, while juniors Ally Hadley and Sydney Williams each added two. Senior Bre Kerr recorded two blocks, and senior Hunnie Zuber-Stephens and Williams tallied one block apiece.
 
Zuber-Stephens paced the offense with nine assists, while sophomore Hannah Tate anchored the defense with 10 digs.
 
The Mariners conclude their season with a 21-9 overall record, an 8-0 North Atlantic Conference mark, and their second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.

MAINE MARITIME POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE