BOSTON, Mass. --- Juniors Lexi Wierzbicki and Gabi Bailey combined for 25 kills and freshman Tynley Smeltzer recorded a match-high 18 digs as the College of Charleston fell to Northeastern in straight sets on Sunday afternoon in Colonial Athletic Association play.
 
Northeastern (12-12, 8-6 CAA) won the tightly-contested match by scores of 26-24, 25-20 and 26-24 while dropping in 12 service aces and out-blocking Charleston (14-11, 7-7 CAA) by a 10-8 margin. The Cougars finished the match with 44 kills, 41 digs and a .216 hitting percentage compared to 39 kills, 42 digs and a .234 clip for the Huskies.
 
Critical Point
With Charleston holding a 22-20 lead in the third set, Northeastern recorded back-to-back points to even the tally at 22-22 before a pair of CofC miscues gave the Huskies a 26-24 win in the frame to complete the sweep.

Key Cougars

• Wierzbicki continued her strong play with a match-high 14 kills while attacking at a .333 clip in the contest. The junior accounted for six of her kills in the opening frame.
• Senior Molly Russell hit a stellar .571 in the match with five kills and five blocks.
• Bailey put down 11 kills to go along with five digs and three blocks.
• Freshman Jasmin Goei dished out a match-high 31 assists as Smeltzer accumulated a contest-best 18 digs.

Game Notes

• The Cougars put down 17 of their 44 kills in the third frame after smashing down 15 in the first set.
• Sunday's match featured 27 ties and eight lead changes with 25 of the level scores coming in the first and third frames.
• Smeltzer recorded more than half of her 18 digs with 10 in the third set. 

Up Next
The Cougars return to the court on Saturday, November 13 when they host UNCW in the first of two matches on the final weekend of the regular season. First serve on Saturday is slated for 1:00 p.m. from TD Arena.