ROCHESTER, NY – Senior Melissa Newcomb had 17 kills, six aces and seven digs to lead the Nazareth College women's volleyball team to a 3-1 victory over Alfred Friday night in an Empire 8 match in Kidera Gymnasium.

The victory kept Nazareth (10-9 overall, 3-1 E8) near the top of the conference standings as the Golden Flyers dominated the first set 25-8 and took a 2-0 lead with a close 25-23 win in the second set. Alfred (6-14, 0-3 E8) rallied to post a 26-24 win the third set to close the gap to 2-1 but Nazareth closed out the victory with a 25-18 win in the fourth set.

Newcomb had four of her six aces in a key run early in the first set as the Golden Flyers scored nine consecutive points to break open the game. The score was 5-3 and the fourth Newcomb ace made it 14-3 as Nazareth cruised to the victory.

In the second set, Newcomb recorded six kills including two in the final five points as the Golden Flyers held on for the late victory.

Alfred jumped out to an early 9-4 lead in the third set and led 21-15 late in the set before Nazareth mounted a comeback attempt. Newcomb had three kills as the Golden Flyers tied the score at 23-23 and again at 24-24 but the Saxons scored the final two points to trim the Nazareth lead in half.

In the fourth set, Nazareth served six aces with senior Danielle Synowski and Newcomb each recording two. Late in the set, freshman Kaylee Kelly and Synowski each recorded kills and Newcomb closed out the match with her 17th kill of the night.

Senior Delaney Martin added nine kills and Synowski finished with eight. Junior Jessica Barry handed out 38 assists and sophomore McKenzie Hart led the balanced defense with 11 digs.

The Golden Flyers return to Empire 8 action Saturday at Houghton with a 1 p.m. match against a Highlander team that dropped its first conference match of the season Friday night 3-1 at St. John Fisher.