BRISTOL, R.I. – The Women's Volleyball Team advanced into The Commonwealth Coast Conference Semifinals for the fifth-straight year with a 3-0 sweep Tuesday over the visiting Nor'Easters of the University of New England. The RWU Hawks rolled to victory by the scores of 25-11, 25-19 and 25-20.

In front of a raucous crowd in the RWU Recreation Center, Hawks junior outside hitter Brittney Sullivan (Nashua, N.H.) began the game serving three-straight points and the team never looked back. After a full rotation, Sullivan returned to the service line and endured two UNE timeouts while tallying seven-straight points to give RWU the 18-7 lead. The team continued its pressure offensively, led by sophomore Marybeth Torpey (Quincy, Mass.), who posted six kills on 11 swings by game's end.

After cruising to the 25-11 victory, RWU again jumped out to an early lead in game two, forcing UNE into a timeout down 9-4.  RWU extended its lead to six points when UNE used its second timeout at 17-11. At 22-14, the Nor'Easters rallied as junior Angie Gust (Manitowoc, Wisc.) served three-straight points, but a Hawk kill by senior Kristina Dolan (Glenmont, N.Y.) stopped the streak and led to the RWU 25-19 win.

Midway through game three the Hawks found themselves ahead, 17-11, and maintained their lead until freshman Kayla Sampson (Cumberland, Maine) served to bring UNE back to within four at 23-19. A side-out for the Hawks gave the hosts match point, which they eventually won on a kill by freshman setter Emily Lebowitz (Coventry, Conn.).

Lebowitz handed out 38 assists in the three games and helped the Hawks to a .312 hitting percentage. Sullivan led RWU with a .368 hitting efficiency, recording eight kills on 19 swings. Junior Rebekah Dion (Old Saybrook, Conn.) was the only player in the match to reach double-digit kills, registering 11 on 20 swings.

Freshman Paige Curran (Chelmsford, Mass.) led UNE with five kills on the night on 13 attempts. Senior Ellen Choinski (Saunderstown, R.I.) tallied 13 assists and added two blocks. As a team, UNE combined for a .127 hitting percentage, while defensively recording 36 digs.

With the win, RWU advances in the TCCC Playoffs to face Endicott College Thursday at 7 p.m. RWU handed the Gulls their only conference loss of the season earlier this year by the score of 3-0. UNE's season ends with a final record of 11-16.