NEWTON, Mass. -- The Mount Ida College women's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (19-25, 23-25, 14-25) decision to the Nighthawks of Newbury College on Tuesday September 22, 2015 in the Mount Ida College Athletic Center.

With the win, the Nighthawks improve to 5-6 on the year, while the Mustangs fell to 4-7 on the season, with both teams yet to play a conference game.

Courtney Banks (Corona, Calif.) led the way for the Nighthawks with a match high 16 kills, while also collecting eight digs. 

Newbury jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, taking the first set from the Mustangs, 25-19.  Leading the way for the Nighthawks was Banks, knocking down five kills on 16 attempts.  Despite falling behind, Mount Ida outside hitter Mary Kate Reidy (Agawam, Mass.) picked up four kills, while teammate Kristy Walton (Fairhaven, Mass.) rounded out the scoring for the Mustangs with three kills. 

In the second set, Mount Ida came out strong and looked to be in control behind the strong play of Molly Alkinburg (Port Deposit, Md.) with three kills on four attempts hitting .750. Newbury would go on to stage a comeback and eventually take the close win 25-23 led by Maya Umoren (Quincy, Mass.) with five kills on nine attempts.  

In the third set, Banks powered Newbury to a 25-14 win with seven kills on 11 attempts. Despite the loss, the Mustangs Alysha Dunbar (Quincy, Mass.) finished the set with three kills on five attempts, hitting .600.

With the non-conference setback, Mustang captain Kelcey Koolman (Bedford, N.H.) led all players with 19 digs in the match, while Reidy finished with a team high seven kills and teammate Dunbar finished with six kills. 

Mount Ida hits the road again this weekend, traveling to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) rival  Lasell on Saturday for a tri-match with Mitchell College, the Mustangs first game against Mitchell is set for 1:00pm. 

The Nighthawks are set to host Johnson State on Saturday starting at 12:00pm.