BOSTON, Mass. – UMass Boston volleyball extended its win-streak to eight straight matches with a pair of 3-0 victories as the Black and Blue defeated Middlebury College and Whitman College (Wash.) on the final day of the inaugural UMass Boston Invitational Saturday afternoon in the Clark Gym.

The Beacons recent hot-streak marks the longest since the 2011 season, when they won a program record 22 consecutive matches.  Saturday's victories saw two come-from-behind wins during each match, as the Beacons continue to hit their stride in just the third week of the 2014 campaign.

Facing their second opponent from the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) in Middlebury College, the Beacons earned a huge 25-22 win in the opening frame.  They then pounded out a 25-18 win in game two and a 25-14 win in the final game. 

In their first meeting with the Missionaries of Whitman College, the Beacons just got by in the first game with a 25-23 victory.  The second game saw UMass Boston overcome an early eight-point deficit to take a 25-19 decision.  The tournament finale was all UMB from start to finish as they cruised to a 25-15 victory to improve to 9-3.

UMass Boston 3, Middlebury College 0

The victory over Middlebury was fueled by sophomore hitter Julia Murphy's (Canton, Mass.) season-best .684 hitting percentage.  The Canton native threw down 13 kills on 19 attempts and was not charged with an error all match.  All-time the Beacons are 4-0 against Middlebury.  Patsy Boland (Chicago, Ill.) also had a strong showing for the Beacons with her eight kills.  Emma Rocha (Boynton Beach, Fla.) tallied 18 assists on 34 attempts, and led the match in aces with six.

Elizabeth Glavan (Edina, Minn.) combined 12 digs to lead the defense and also had 23 service receptions.  Bri Sousa (Swansea, Mass.) owned two of the Beacons four solo blocks, while Murphy and Jodie Munchbach (Dedham, Mass.) each with finished with one solo block and one block assist.

UMass Boston 3, Whitman College 0

In the nightcap, Boland led the Beacons offense with a season-best 14 kills on 39 attempts (.205).  Next to her was Murphy with 11 put-downs, followed by Kirsten Morrison (North Reading, Mass.) with seven.  Rocha and fellow setter Pepper Baker (Tallahassee, Fla.) combined for 36 assists respectively.

Glavan led a trio of Beacons with 10 or more digs, as the sophomore recorded 26 in the victory.  Behind her was Munchbach with 12 and Rocha with 10 to earn her third double-double of the year.  At the net Sousa continued her strong play with a team-best three blocks (1 bs, 2 ba). 

Volleyball returns to action on Wednesday when they travel to Salve Regina University for a 7 p.m. non-conference match.