Pope Leads UAlbany to 3-2 Season-Finale Win At New Hampshire

DURHAM, N.H. -- Sophomore Sara Pope recorded a career-high 23 kills to lead UAlbany to a 3-2 win over New Hampshire in the America East Conference regular season volleyball finale on Sunday afternoon at Lundholm Gymnasium. The Great Danes posted set scores of 26-24, 25-27, 18-25, 18-25, and 15-11 in the win.

Pope recorded a .370 hitting percentage in the match to lead UAlbany. Senior Traci Vandegrift and sophomore Samantha Brostrom each finished with 11 kills apiece to help the UAlbany offense, while Vandegrift completed a double-double with 17 digs. Libero Viktoriia Stroilo led the Great Danes with 19 digs. Gabby Whitworth and Sofia Furlong split the setting duties, with Whitworth coming up with 27 assists, while Furlong totaled a double-double of 17 assists and 14 digs. As a team, UAlbany out-blocked New Hampshire, 8-7, as Vandegrift, Furlong and Tatum Jungsten all finished with three block assists.

Destiny Tolliver led New Hampshire with 21 kills to go along with six block assists and six digs. Morgan Thatcher added 14 kills, while Abigail Brinkman and Victoria Forrest added 12 kills apiece. Forrest finished with a double-double with 11 digs. Libero Sam Henke led all players with 27 digs. Setter Taylor Dunklau also had a double-double with 53 assists and 20 digs for New Hampshire (15-13, AE 7-5).

UAlbany (13-14, AE 10-2) has earned the top seed for the America East Conference Championship, and will take on fourth-seeded New Hampshire on Friday in the second semifinal at 7 p.m. #2 Binghamton will play #3 UMBC at 4 p.m.