NEWPORT, RI –

After dropping the first two points of the evening, the Bears scored the next three in a row and would not look back, holding the lead for the rest of set one. Salve surged late, halting four CGA set points in a row to cut the Bears lead to 24-21. But, after a Coach Thomas timeout, Coast Guard scored the next point to win 25-21. Set 1 was led by the stellar effort of Shannon Shaw(Torrance, CA). The senior had five kills with two digs and was seldom on her feet, with numerous rally saving, diving attempts, including a save in which she dove into her team's bench knocking over herself and two chairs in the process.

In set two, the Bears would have to come back from an early deficit. Trailing by as many as four points early on, CGA tied the set 10-10 on a Salve attack error, took the lead on a Sophia Rosenberg(Lebanon, PA) ace, and did not look back. The Bears would cruise to victory from that point, holding the lead the rest of the way through and finishing with an identical 25-21 score from set one.

Set three was a back and forth affair for the Bears and Seahawks. The two exchanged leads until a score of 17-17 when the Bears took over. With junior Pin Attacker Sarah Somer(Cary, NC) serving, CGA rattled off four points in a row which Somer started herself with an ace to take the lead. Much like set one, Coast Guard got to set point and Salve made it interesting, cutting the lead to just 25-22. But like set one, after a timeout they scored the next point and secured match point. 

With the loss, Salve moves to 6-14(3-5 NEWMAC). They will next travel to Rhode Island College Thursday October 24th at 7:00 PM. 

The Bears were led on attack by Shannon Shaw with 15 kills. With her 15 kills, Shaw reached the 200 kill mark for the 3rd consecutive season. Shannon also added six digs and led CGA with a .481 attack percentage.

Trailing shortly behind Shaw were teammates Sarah Somer with six kills and four kills each from Amelia Matson(Stafford, VA) and Eloise Shirley(Burke, VA). Leading in assists for the Bears was sophomore setter Sophia Rosenberg with 30 assists. This is the 11th match in a row in which Sophia has had 30+ sets. 

On defense, the Bears spread the wealth. Kaela France(Calhan, CO) led in digs with 10 with the aforementioned Shannon Shaw just behind with six and Laila Baameur(Bakersfield, CA) with five.

Coast Guard's victory moves them to 16-7(5-3 NEWMAC). The Bears get a week off, next playing Tuesday October 29th vs Mount Holyoke at home.