BOSTON – Simmons volleyball opened the 2021 campaign with a 3-1 victory over non-conference neighbor, Wentworth Institute of Technology on Wednesday night. The win marked the Sharks first win over the Leopards in 12 years. 

Junior captain Sydney Iannantuono came two digs shy of a double-double, leading the way for the Sharks recording 11 kills. Senior Amanda Fortune hit .421 on the night, following up with nine kills on 19 attempts with one error.

Ava Saltzgiver and Kat Simeondis paced the offense, combing for 30 assists, while Jordan Hacker added 15 digs. 

Simmons 3, Wentworth 1
Sept. 1, 2021
Boston, Mass. | Tansey Gymnasium 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

SET 1: Simmons, 25-13

• Iannantuono and April Beatty combined to hit .400 in the first set, registering five kills on 10 attempts with one error.
• First-year setter Ava Saltzgiver paced the offense in five assists.
• Kat Simeondis and Jayla Parnell were outstanding from the service line combining for five aces – three and two, respectively.

SET 2: Wentworth, 25-21

• The Leopards evened the match, edging out the Sharks, 25-21.
• Viviann Goulet led Wentworth with three kills and 10 digs.
• Iannantuono notched three kills for the Sharks.

SET 3: Simmons, 25-14

• The Sharks righted the ship in the third set, taking game three by a score of 25-14.
• Amanda Fortune was nearly perfect from the floor, tallying three kills on four attempts for a .750 attack percentage.
• Iannantuono also posted three kills herself while Salzgiver and Simeondis guided the offense, eaching tallying four assists.

SET 4: Simmons, 28-26

• Fortune continued her hot hitting in the fourth set to seal the match, posting a .429 hitting percentage with three kills on seven attempts.
• Parnell was also solid from the floor tallying three kills on five attempts.
• Claire Conners and Joenissa Ortiz each went up for a block to help the Sharks edge out the Leopards, 28-26, in the fourth to claim the victory.

GAME NOTES:

• Simmons hit .308 as a team in the third set, tallying 10 kills on 26 attempts with just two miscues.
• The Sharks registered 13 service aces – Iannantuono leading the way with four. 
• The last time Simmons defeated Wentworth was back on Sept. 4, 2009. The Sharks defeated the Leopards in four sets, 3-1. 

UP NEXT:

• Simmons returns to the court on Saturday, Sept. 1 with a tri-match against Maine-Presque Isle and Emerson in Boston beginning at noon.

RECORDS:

• Simmons – 1-0
• Wentworth – 0-1