BROOKLINE, Mass. – Lasers freshman Kiana Perez (Juncos, P.R.) put up a career-high 31 kills to go with 16 digs as the Lasell College Lasers defeated the Newbury Nighthawks 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 23-25, 25-23) on Tuesday night at Pappas Gymnasium in non-conference play.

The double-double is the second of the season for Perez, who hit .270 from the floor. Senior Olivia Addington (Orange, Calif.) produced a double-double of 19 kills and 26 digs. Freshman Jess Langan (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) finished with career-highs in assists with 52 and digs with 13.

Nighthawks sophomore Monica Bolduk (Vernon, Conn.) led the team with 11 kills. Freshmen Natalia Ortiz Arce (Humacao, P.R.) and Halie Sanders (McDonough, Ga.) finished with eight and seven kills, respectively. Sanders also added 28 assists and 22 digs.

In the opening set, the Lasers were able to keep the Nighthawks in check, pulling away with two separate 4-0 scoring runs. The Nighthawks pulled within two late in the set but a kill by freshman Meghan Roberts (Newington, Conn.) and a Perez ace gave the Lasers the first set, 25-21.

In the second, the Nighthawks surged ahead with an 11-4 run to start the set, including three kills each for Bolduk and Sanders. The Lasers chipped away and used a 16-7 scoring run to lead the Nighthawks 20-18 late in the set. The momentum stayed with Lasell who closed out the set with kills by Addington and Perez, winning the second set, 25-19.

In the third, the Nighthawks again held an early lead, 9-6, before surrendering that to the Lasers, who tied the score at 12-12. Newbury would snatch the momentum this time, scoring 10 of the next 15 to lead 20-15. Lasell was on the verge of a comeback, saving three set points, but finally, the Nighthawks closed the door with a Lasers error to win the third 25-23.

In the fourth, it was a 6-0 run by the Lasers in the middle of the set that appeared would end the match. However, the Nighthawks stayed resilient, going on a 7-2 run in the late stages to take a 22-20 lead. With the match looking destined for a tiebreaking set, the Lasers took advantage of some Nighthawk errors to lead 24-23. At match point, the Nighthawks were unable to return, giving the point to Lasell, and the fourth set, 25-23.

The 38 teams kills while hitting .108 from the floor are both season-bests for the Nighthawks, who fall to 1-6 with the loss.

The Lasers 61 kills are also a season-high as Lasell improves to 3-10.

Newbury has a quick turnaround as they face Fitchburg State on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. from Pappas Gymnasium. The Lasers also face the quick turnaround as they host Pine Manor on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

(Courtesy of Newbury Sports Information)

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