WILMINGTON, N.C. — William & Mary overpowered UNCW in straight sets on Tuesday evening at Hanover Hall, winning 26-24, 25-21, and 25-18. The victory marked W&M's third consecutive win.

The first set commenced with the Tribe (9-13, 4-7 CAA) taking an early lead, thanks to a kill by Beatriz Silva, assisted by Katherine Arnason. The Green & Gold maintained momentum, with Nicole Smith contributing crucial kills. The Seahawks (3-18, 2-9) responded with a series of points, briefly pulling ahead. However, the Tribe capitalized on key errors by their opponents and a solid block by Olivia Westfort, allowing them to reclaim the lead.

As the set progressed, the teams exchanged points with neither able to secure a decisive advantage. In the final stretch, W&M executed a pivotal block by Damisi Osibodu and a kill by Silva to edge ahead. The set concluded with the Tribe securing a 26-24 victory, setting the tone for the match.

The Tribe gained momentum early in the second set, establishing a 4-0 lead with key plays from Osibodu and Smith, both benefiting from Silva's assists. Despite a few service errors, W&M maintained dominance with consistent scoring, including kills from Arnason and Audrey Brcka, extending their lead to 14-5.

UNCW attempted to narrow the gap through successful attacks, but the Tribe responded effectively, highlighted by crucial points from Smith and a service ace by Arnason. W&M secured the set with a final kill by Brcka, concluding at 25-21.

The Tribe started the third set with a strong offensive push, highlighted by Brcka's kill from Silva and a service ace by Silva, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead. Despite the Seahawks leveling the score at 3-3, W&M regained control with Smith contributing a kill and a block to push the score to 7-4.

W&M maintained their lead with Brcka and Smith continuing to apply pressure, extending the score to 12-8. UNCW managed to tie the game at 14-14, but the Tribe responded with a decisive 5-point run, led by Arnason's kill and a block by Brcka and Osibodu, to reach 19-15.

The Tribe capitalized on their opponents' errors and secured the set with a final push, closing it out at 25-18.

STAT NUGGETS

• Brcka led the Tribe with 13 kills.
• Smith had 12 kills with a .391 hitting percentage, plus eight digs.
• The Tribe posted a dominant .393 hitting percentage in the second set.
• Silva racked up 26 digs with seven digs.
• Osibodu led all players with seven blocks, four solo.
• Westfort added five blocks, two of which were solo.
• W&M held UNCW to a .049 hitting percentage, the second-lowest mark allowed in a match this season.
• The Tribe led UNCW in blocks 13-4.

UP NEXT
W&M will face UNCW again on Saturday at 2 p.m.