WESTFIELD, Mass. –  Westfield State senior captain Shawna Crowley (Billerica, Mass.) hammered out 13 kills to lead the Owls as Westfield State overcame a slow start to beat Elms College, 3-2, in a nonconference volleyball match at the Maguire Center in Chicopee, Mass. on Thursday.

Westfield prevailed 20-25, 25-19, 19-25, 25-14, and 15-6 in the decisive fifth set.

Bridgette McAndrews(Longmeadow, Mass.) added 10 kills for the Owls.

Westfield got a solid all-around performance from Julia Dangel-Garcia (Ashland, Mass.), who had 19 assists, 13 digs, and six service aces.   Crowley added a team-best 17 digs for the Owls.

Westfield served up a total of 15 aces in the match.

Elms was led by 19 kills from Jayliane Ramos Figueroa.

Westfield improves to 2-3 overall on the season. The Owls will be back in action on Saturday with a non-conference match at St. Joseph's (Conn.).