BIDDEFORD, Maine — After splitting the opening two sets in Friday evening's in-state showdown against the University of New England, the Maine Maritime Academy volleyball team won a crucial third set and came away with a 3-1 decision.

Maine Maritime (1-0) opened the season with a 25-19 win in the first set to take a 1-0 lead, but UNE (0-1) answered with a 25-15 second-set victory to even the match.

In a pivotal third set, the Mariners built an 11-6 advantage midway through before the Nor'Easters rallied to tie it at 11-11. UNE later took a 24-23 lead and was serving for the win, but senior Sophia Biggie tied the score at 24. Both teams had chances to close out the set, but neither could convert until MMA benefited from a UNE attack error to go ahead 32-31. Junior Sydney Williams then delivered a service ace to seal a dramatic 33-31 win.

In the fourth set, the teams traded points early before the Mariners pulled ahead 19-14. UNE closed the gap to 20-19, but Maine Maritime finished on a 5-0 run to secure the 3-1 victory.

Senior Hunnie Zuber-Stephens impressed in her move to setter, recording a 37-assist, 18-dig double-double and adding four service aces. Junior Ally Hadley tallied a team-high 16 kills and 16 digs for a double-double, while Williams added the team's third double-double of the night with 13 kills and 14 digs.

Sophomore Hannah Tate collected 17 digs, and freshman Ayla Altman chipped in seven. Biggie and senior Ila Smith each had five kills, with Biggie also recording three blocks.

The victory marked the first for head coach Jessany Petricevic on the Mariners' sideline.

Maine Maritime returns to action Saturday with a doubleheader, facing Saint Joseph's College of Maine at noon and the University of Southern Maine at 2 p.m.