Biddeford, Maine -- Clark University split a pair of matches in their season opening tri-match hosted by the University of New England on Saturday. Junior Rachel Spera (North Hollywood, Calif.) totaled 39 assists in the two contests.

In game one, UNE senior Paige Curran (Chelsmford, Mass.) registered 12 kills and junior Angie Brunette (North Andover, Mass.) added seven to help the University of New England women's volleyball squad to a 3-0 victory. The set scores were 25-22, 25-16, and 25-22.

Junior Maria Kuehl dished out 26 assists for Big Blue (1-0), which also put down six combined blocks. Brunette had four blocking assists to lead the way. Junior Kirsta Adie (Tyngsboro, Mass.) picked up a match-best eight digs.

For the Cougars (0-1), sophomores Savonnah Rowe (New York, N.Y.) and Mel Conde (Union City, Calif.) tallied eight kills apiece. Spera helped support the attack with 19 assists.

The first set saw Clark reel off seven unanswered points to break a 9-9 tie and assume a 16-9 advantage. After UNE trimmed the deficit to one (19-18), the next three points went to the visitors -- but that would be it for the frame. The Nor'easters closed with a 7-0 run of its own to take the opening stanza.

UNE broke away from a 12-12 battle in the second to win by nine, then clawed through a back-and-forth series of points to take the edge in the third.

In the day's second match, first-year Shannon Glass-Smythe (Albuquerque, N.M.) knocked down 12 kills and totaled nine digs to help lead the Cougars past Bridgewater State University, 3-0, in a non-conference match. Set scores were 25-17, 25-21, and 25-20.

Spera fueled the offense with 20 assists, while sophomore Kaitlyn Stuck (Bourne, Mass.) contributed team-highs of 10 digs and three aces to the Clark cause. As a team, the Cougars (1-1) racked up 12 winners off the serve.

For the Bears (0-1), first-year Julie Hutchins (Bellingham, Mass.) and junior Tayler Beck (Marion, Mass.) combined for 18 kills. Junior Melanie Appleman (Hyannis, Mass.) notched 19 assists and a match-best 11 digs in support.

The two sides were fairly even through, with Clark getting the better of some small, but timely, runs -- including the last four points of the third set to seal the deal.

Clark will return to the hardwood with a road trip to Eastern Connecticut State on Tuesday.