DANBURY, Conn. - Senior Abbi Debes (New Milford, Conn.) smashed a team-leading 12 kills, while graduate students Victoria Alomar (Naranjito, P.R.) and Ali Brochu (Winsted, Conn.) chipped in with 11 and 10, respectively, to lead the Western Connecticut State University women's volleyball team to a 3-2 (20-25, 25-21, 25-17, 27-29, 15-5) victory in the season opener for both squads on Wednesday night at Feldman Arena. Junior setter Rory McMaster (Canton, Mich.) also dished out a match-high 42 assists for the hosts. 

Rookie middle hitter Letisha Perez (Dominican Republic) notched a game-high 14 kills for the Hawks, while sophomore Mackenzie Williams (Windsor, N.Y) joined her in double figures with 10. Classmate Cate DiGiacomo (West Hartford, CT) handed out 34 assists. 

The match was neck-and-neck most of the evening. The teams exchanged set wins before WestConn captured the third set to take a 2-1 lead. The momentum turned to WestConn's side in the third when sophomore Olivia Monteleone (Cold Spring, N.Y.) reeled off five straight service aces. However, New Paltz displayed their poise as they rallied to outlast the hosts in the fourth set, 29-27. But it was all WestConn in the final frame as Brochu floored the ball to cement the victory. 

WestConn returns to action for a the two-day Scranton Tournament on Friday at 7 p.m. when they square off against Lebanon Valley College.