SWARTHMORE, PA (August 29, 2025) – UMass Boston volleyball opened its 2025 season with a hard-fought effort against Cortland, ultimately falling in four sets in the opening match of the Garnet Invitational (26-24, 12-25, 19-25, 22-25).

Set One: UMass Boston 26, Cortland 24
Cortland jumped out to an early 4-1 lead, then extended the margin with a seven-point run. The Beacons chipped away, pulling even at 20-20 before closing strong. Paige Coulson (Marriottsville, Md.) sealed the comeback with a kill and an ace to give UMass Boston the first set.

Cortland responded in the next two frames, using an 11-2 surge in the second set and a decisive five-point run in the third to secure 25-12 and 25-19 wins.

In the fourth, UMass Boston built a 10-7 lead before the Red Dragons battled back. The set featured four lead changes, but Cortland held on late to close the match, despite a spirited push from the Beacons.

By the Numbers

• Coulson and sophomore Kesmyn Alves (Brockton, Mass.) paced the offense with nine kills each. Coulson also led all players with 22 digs.

• Sophomore Audrey Cofield (Ypsilanti, Mich.) dished out a team-high 13 assists, followed by Amelia Devlin (West Chester, Pa.) with eight.

• Addie Blomgren (Riverside, Ill.) anchored the net with four solo blocks and five block assists, totaling nine stops on the night.

UMass Boston continues play at the Garnet Invitational tomorrow (August 30), facing Swarthmore College at 1:30 p.m. before closing the trip against No. 1-ranked Juniata College (AVCA) at 4:00 p.m.

--FOR THE TIMES--