BIDDEFORD — Saint Joseph’s College beat the University of New England 3-0 in a volleyball match at the Harold Alfond Forum.

Saint Joseph’s senior Felicia Wachowiak led the way with 14 kills on the evening, with junior Victoria Huntley adding another 10. Wachowiak also led the team with six blocks, while Huntley and Abbie McPhee led with 14 digs. Mariah Hebert led the team with 28 assists.

Emily Rumery led the Nor’easters with nine kills, while Kristen Falcinelli had 25 assists and Brittany Morrison tallied 17 digs.

The first set started out tight, with the score beginning at 5-5. Both teams seemed to be able to cover the opponent’s front three, with the majority of blocks coming in the first.

As the first set continued, Wachowiak found her stride and took over the set, scoring five of her team’s 12 kills. Saint Joseph’s took the first set 25-18.

An issue that was apparent early on for UNE was communication, as the players often did not seem to be on the same page.

UNE coach Karol L’Heureux admitted her frustration with her team’s early communication difficulties.

“Communication was an issue, it doesn’t matter how good your opponent is. Communication with the six people on the court is a basic, preliminary part of volleyball and our team didn’t do that tonight. That was my biggest disappointment, communication is critical,” said L’Heureux.

The Monks’ momentum continued into the second as they immediately took control of the tempo through a heavy offensive attack. The Monks made many plays early on, including an impressive fake set up that Hebert hit behind her back and over the net for a score.

After falling behind four points, UNE called a time out to make adjustments.

The adjustments were effective, with the Nor’easters pushing the Monks to a score of 24-23, but eventually falling 25-23 in the second.

The Monks wasted no time in the third set, jumping ahead to an early 10-2 lead. Despite an impressive defensive set by Morrison, where she made two consecutive diving digs, the Nor’easters could not keep pace and fell 25-14.

L’Heureux was disappointed with her team’s loss, but considering the youth of her squad – which includes no seniors and four freshmen – she pointed out that games like this are part of the learning process.

“We are capable of much more, I’ve seen it. There have been times where we have really been able to turn it on, but then there are times where we slide a bit,” said L’Heureux. “That sometimes happens with young teams, but the biggest thing is that we stick together. We will work hard and learn from our mistakes and hopefully be a tougher team next time.”

Even with a disappointing season winding down, L’Heureux is still proud of her team and feels that they have achieved a lot.

“We have come so close in some of these losses, by as few as two points in the match. We have even been able to do it against top- 12 schools in New England. Winning is easy, but losing is much tougher. I think sometimes they settle, but we have to keep pushing,” said L’Heureux.

— Sports Staff Writer Alex Sponseller can be reached at [email protected] or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @ JournalTsports.