PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The University of Maine at Presque Isle Owls volleyball team notched four wins during Homecoming Weekend matchups.
The team played in their first home match of the year on Friday, Sept. 27, hosting Unity College in two matches. The Owls won both matches 3-0, giving them their first wins on the year.
Scores in match 1 were, set 1, 25-10, UMPI; set 2, 25-12, UMPI; and set 3, 25-13, UMPI.
According to UMPI Sports Information Director Mark Knight, the Owls took control early with an 8-2 lead and never looked back, ending the match with a total of 24 kills. Taylor Miller (junior, Weeki Wachee, Florida) led UMPI with five kills on nine attempts. Hailey Kelly (freshman, Wells) finished with 14 assists. The Owls had great team defense with 35 digs on the match, three Owls with five or more digs.
Scores in match 2 were, all led by UMPI: set 1, 25-15; set 2, 25-12; and set 3, 25-11.
Knight said the Owls were aggressive at the net as the team ended the match with 33 kills, led by Miller with eight kills. Madison Exferd (junior, Payette, Idaho) finished with 17 assists, Kelly ended with 11. Maddi Thweatt was everywhere on the defensive end with 12 Digs on the match and Epperly finished with 11 herself. UMPI finished with 16 service aces on the match as well.
The Owls ended Homecoming weekend on Sunday, Sept. 29, with two more wins vs. the University of Maine at Machias Clippers. UMPI took both matches 3-0.
In match 1 (25-12, 25-8, 25-13), Miller finished with eight kills on 10 attempts (80 percent), Kelly finished with 16 assists and Exferd earned 12 assists. Thweat led the team with 12 of the team’s 33 digs on the match, said Knight.
In match 2, (25-6, 25-13, 25-5), Thweat led all with ten kills on 18 attempts (56 percent), while also leading the Owls on the defensive end with five digs. Ashlon Stroub ended with nine aces and Exferd finished with 19 assists on the match.
