Simmons Volleyball defeated Newbury College in five sets on Thursday night, 3-2. Senior Taylor Pederson (San Antonio, Texas) helped the Sharks stave off a Nighthawk comeback with a game-high 13 kills in the match. The Nighthawks fall to 3-10 in the loss while Simmons improves to 2-11 with the victory.

Simmons came out firing, taking a 2-0 match advantage with wins in games one and two. Early in the first game, junior Morgan Powell (Orange, Mass.) led the Sharks on a 7-1 run, recording a game-high four service aces.

After the Nighthawks tied up the match in games three and four, the momentum shifted as Newbury took an early lead in the fifth game. But Simmons came back strong and took game five, 15-12.

Junior outside hitter Tricia Corriveau and sophomore Steph Williams led the Nighthawks with a team-high nine kills. In addition, Williams recorded four services aces in the loss.

Sophomore setter Rachel Dufault (Westport, Mass.) had 24 assists and 17 digs, while teammate Kelly Last (West Haven, Conn.) also recorded 17 digs for the Sharks.

Simmons will travel to Pine Manor for a tri-match with the Gators and Rivier College on Saturday, October 9 at 11:00am. Newbury returns to the court on Saturday October 9th when they host Framingham State and Regis College in tri-match beginning at 11:00am.