Maine Maritime Defeats Husson to Advance to NAC Championship

The Maine Maritime Academy volleyball team secured their spot in the North Atlantic Conference Championship on Sunday, delivering a clinical performance to sweep Husson University 25-13, 25-16, 25-17.

Held at Smith Gymnasium in Castine, the semifinal match showcased a dominant offensive display, with the Mariners hitting .330 as a team while forcing the Eagles into a .120 hitting percentage.

The victory sets the stage for a championship showdown against No. 3 Thomas College, which earned its own berth by defeating No. 2 Vermont State University Johnson 3-1.

Maine Maritime controlled the tempo from the opening serve, amassing 43 kills compared to Husson’s 26. The Mariners’ balanced attack was anchored by senior Ally Hadley, who recorded 14 kills on a .423 hitting percentage, and senior Sydney Williams, who tallied 12 kills and 15 digs. The depth of the roster was on full display as freshman Kelsie Murray finished the match with six kills on 12 swings, committing zero errors for a .500 hitting percentage.

The Mariners’ ability to handle high-pressure moments was tested in the second and third sets. After taking the opening frame easily, Maine Maritime faced an 8-4 deficit in the second.

A 10-1 run, sparked by the serving of freshman Lyla Annen and Hadley, effectively shifted the momentum back to the home team. Similarly, in the third set, the team overcame a 13-11 disadvantage with an 8-0 run led by junior Hannah Tate’s service work.

The statistical disparity highlights the defensive pressure the Mariners applied throughout the contest:

Statistic	Maine Maritime Academy	Husson University
Kills	43	26
Service Aces	9	6
Digs	53	48
Hitting Percentage	.330	.120

Freshman Faith Reed served as the primary catalyst for the offense, orchestrating 34 assists throughout the three-set sweep. By ensuring the team generated at least 14 kills in every set, Reed allowed the Mariners to maintain a consistent offensive rhythm that Husson struggled to disrupt. The defensive effort was equally methodical, with Tate providing a match-high 20 digs to stabilize the back row.

By forcing nine reception errors and maintaining a 6.5 team block total, Maine Maritime demonstrated the structural discipline required. Jaslene Butler also provided a key presence at the net, contributing four kills and three blocks to sustain the defensive intensity during critical stretches.

The Mariners now turn their focus to the championship match, scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m.