VESTAL - Three sets is all UMBC needed to complete their 3-peat for the #AEVB Title. In a dominating performance from start to finish, the Retrievers bounced back from their second-place regular season finish to be crowned the top dogs of postseason.
UMBC came out of the gates swinging, going on a 6-point scoring streak in the first set. After UNH scored their first point, UMBC went on another streak this time scoring five straight. Slowly the Wildcats worked their way back, bringing the score to 22-23. UMBC prevailed though with Kamani Conteh’s and Weronika Wrzesinska’s set-clinching points.
The Wildcats got their first lead at the start of the second set, but the Retrievers eventually retook control. It was a game of back and forth for the two until UMBC pulled away, with Kamani Conteh having the hot hand again and UNH struggling with service errors, to win the set 25-19.
The third set was similar to the second with the two being tied at 17, until UMBC pulled away scoring seven straight. UNH hoped to rally after scoring once UMBC reached match point, but a kill by Mila Ilieva secured the third-straight #AEVB title for UMBC.
Sophomore Ilieva earned the Most Outstanding Player honors after tallying 20 kills and hitting .532 across 7 sets in UMBC’s two matches. Kamani Conteh and Defensive Specialist of the Year, Aysia Miller, joined Ilieva on the 2022 All-Tournament team.
UNH’s Kelly Kaufmann and Lindsey Kriendler were also named to the All-Tournament team, while Binghamton’s Stefana Stan and Bryant’s Emma McGovern rounded out the team.
For box scores, highlights and recaps from the entire tournament, visit Championship Central.
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