GORHAM, Maine -- Led by junior outside hitter Jess Williamson (Goffstown, N.H.), the University of Southern Maine women's volleyball team defeated visiting Saint Joseph's College (Me.) 3-0 (25-9, 25-21, 25-21) in a non-conference match Thursday night at the Warren Hill Gymnasium.

The win improved the Huskies overall mark to 11-4, and was their first win over the Monks since 2014.  The Monks dropped their fifth straight match sliding to 3-8 overall.  The two sides will meet again at Saint Joseph's on October 13.

Williamson had another big night at the net knocking down 19 kills on 39 attacks.  Classmate Mo Raymond (Sanbornton, N.H.) added eight kills, and rookie Kylee Austin (Saco, Maine/Thornton Academy) had seven kills.

Senior setter Megan Nilson (Granby, Conn.) picked up her seventh double-double of the season dishing out 21 assists and digging up 15 balls.  Sophomore Nicole Schmitz (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham) passed out 16 assists, served four aces and had five digs.  Rookie libero Taylor Ziska (Loveland, Colo./Mountain View) had 15 digs and five aces.

For the Monks, junior Jordynne Copp (Cumberland, Maine/Greely) and rookie Kelsey Bickford (Somersworth, N.H.) had five kills apiece.  Sophomore Sarah Dyer (Seabrook, N.H./Winnacunnet) had a double-double passing out 16 assists and collecting 12 digs.  Sophomore Jennelle Thompson (Farmington, N.H.) also had 12 digs for the Monks.

The Huskies took the opening set in impressive fashion, then had to come from behind in the second set to take a 2-0 lead.  The third set was back and forth before the Huskies pulled away in the late stages to secure the win.

Southern Maine is back in action on Saturday (12:00 p.m.) hosting Little East Conference rival Keene State College.  Saint Joseph's is on the road this weekend traveling to Norwich University on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference match.

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Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 474-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.