BOSTON, Mass. – Led by a strong showing from Christina Elliott (Camas, Wash.), volleyball grabbed their first win of 2016 on their home floor and against an in-region opponent, as the Beacons knocked-off Emerson College by the final of 3-1 Thursday evening.

THE BASICS

UMass Boston 3, Emerson College 1

UMass Boston (4-1, 0-0 Little East)
Emerson College (5-1, 0-0 NEWMAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

After a slow start that nearly resulted in a come-from-behind in the first set, the Beacons made quick work of their intra-state rivals.  The previously undefeated Lions grabbed a 25-22 win in the first, but the Beacons fired back with a 25-13 win in the second, a 25-19 win in the third, and a 25-17 win in the fourth to earn their first in-region victory.

Elliott's night consisted of a season-high 18 assists, nine digs, and five aces.  On the night Beacons put together a solid offensive showing hitting .273 overall, while the Lions were held to a mere .119. 

Colleen Koen led the Beacons with 13 kills, while Julia Murphy hit a match-high .385 to go along with 12 kills.  Pepper Baker put-up a combined 20 assists, and had 12 digs in the non-conference win.  Defensively, Elizabeth Glavan collected 27 digs, and also had a trio of service aces to help the Beacons move past the Lions. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• All-time UMass Boston is now 7-3 against Emerson College, and are 6-0 on their home floor against the Lions
• Glavan is now just 76 digs away from becoming the first player in program history to record 2,000 digs in a career.
• Murphy is now just 11 solo blocks away from tying the program record of 120 set by assistant coach and three-time All-American Shannon Thompson '13
• Murphy is also 41 block assists away from tying all-time leader Molly Rattigan '13

WHO'S NEXT

The Beacons will travel to Smith College on Saturday to play Husson University and Suffolk University in a tri-match.  Start times for the matches are 1 and 3 p.m.