WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts-Boston prevented the Roger Williams University Women's Volleyball team from reaching its first NCAA regional final with a 3-1 win over the Hawks Saturday afternoon.

UMass Boston improved to 22-16 on the year with their win, while Roger Williams finished the season at 31-4.

UMass Boston managed to creep up for the first set win, 25-23, having trailed behind until the score tied at 21-21. Roger Williams began the set strong, setting a tough front row and earning kills by Krystie Luczynski (Kensington, Conn.), Kristen Boyer (Ephrata, Pa.), and Brittany McMullen (Lancaster, Pa.). After a huge block by McMullen, showing net dominance by Roger Williams, Boston called the first time out. RWU managed to keep their lead thanks to blocks and kills by McMullen and Andrea Gorman (Wilbraham, Mass.), but Boston countered with aces and kills, until the score reached 15-12, Roger Williams, and the Hawks called their first time out. Boston struggled with errors coming out of the time out, and called their own time out once the score reached 12-17, RWU. The Beacons gained momentum dramatically, showing great ball control and hitting by Julia Murphy, Megan Pollack, and Bri Sousa. Boston finally gained lead with Murphy's service ace, and took the set, 25-23, thanks to Amber Clemon's kill.

Roger Williams kept their play strong, but Boston managed to carry their momentum to the second set, always pushing ahead three or four points above the Hawks. The tape was hot during this set, as Roger Williams' and Boston's front row battled several times at the net. Roger Williams called the first time out at 6-10, Boston, but failed to catch up as Boston raked in the points. Though RWU still showed net dominance, kills by Boston's Kristen Morrison and Corrine Porter won the Beacon's second set, 25-21.

The Hawks shifted the momentum in the third set, gathering a quick 4-1 lead with the help of Boyer. The Beacons fought back, Morrison and Murphy smashing the ball until the score tied at 9-9. Boston called the first time out of the set after falling behind, 9-12, but RWU remained strong with a big front row lead by McMullen, Luczynski, and Sarah McAniff (Redding, Conn.). After a strategic rollshot by Boston's Porter, the score inched closer, 23-18, Roger Williams, and the Hawks called their first time out. Their comeback in the third set was sealed, and two big kills by McMullen ended the set, 25-18, RWU.

The fourth set began slowly, both teams having trouble keeping their hits in, until the score was tied 5-5. Boston's Patsy Boland scored two consecutive kills, giving Boston a slight lead of 9-8, quickly countered by RWU Nicole Weber's (Poulsbo, Wash.) two service aces. Another kill by Boston's Boland set the score at a more comfortable 15-12, forcing RWU to call the first time out. A few points later, the score grew to 19-14, and RWU called their second time out. Boston managed to keep their momentum, however, and kills by Morrison and Clemons, thanks to some diving saves, racked up the points. Boston called their first time out when RWU seemed to be catching up, 23-19, but succeeded in winning the fourth set 25-21.

Luczynski finished the match with 11 kills and closes out her career with 1,192 kills, two shy of the school record.

UMass Boston is the defending NCAA regional champions, and will go on to defend their title tomorrow at 3:00 PM.

- Release courtesy of the Williams College Sports Information Department