BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. - The Massachusetts Maritime Buccaneers (0-1) opened the volleyball season Saturday at the Clean Harbors Athletic Center dropping a 3-0 decision to the visiting Hawks of Becker College (4-1), by scores of 25-19, 25-19 and 25-15.

The Buccaneers kept the score close early in the opening set before the Hawks launched a 10-2 run opening a 14-6 lead. Brooke Naatz (North Andover, Mass./North Andover) slammed down a couple of kills as the Bucs closed to within seven points and Jen Roy (Attleboro, Mass./North Attleboro) drilled a big kill cutting the Becker lead to six. Madison Coughlin (Monroe, Conn./Masuk) stepped to the service line for the Bucs ripping off a seven-point run as Massachusetts Maritime kept the score within six points. Coughlin had a kill and Morgan Gould (North Attleboro, Mass./Tri-County) landed a nice redirect, but Emily Peterman (Vancouver, Wash./Home schooled) played strong at the net down the stretch for Becker as the Hawks posted a 25-19 win the the first game.

The Hawks edged ahead to open the second set. Naatz made a couple of solid defensive plays as did libero Tina Ruggeri (Bourne, Mass./Bourne). Michelle Sheehan (Attleboro, Mass/Attleboro) dropped a well place ball on the Hawks and then landed an ace as the Buccaneers locked the score at 6-6. Coughlin picked up a couple of service points and Kaylee Tolman (East Sandwich, Mass./Sandwich) made a nice play as the two teams traded points.

Becker scored three quick points to pull ahead but once again the Bucs tied the score, until the Hawks went on an 8-1 run to claim the second set 25-19.

Becker took a 4-3 advantage in the third set and never relinquished the lead. Marie Harrison (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) had a nice set on the outside and at the service line, registering a kill late in the third. Gillian Criddle (Earleville, MD./Bohemia Manor) came up with a nice block for the Hawks down the stretch as Becker completed the sweep with a 25-15 win.

Massachusetts Maritime will host Salem State on Tuesday, September 11, at 7 PM, while the Hawks Host Emmanuel College also at 7 PM.