LEWISTON, Maine - For the first time in program history, the Bowdoin College women's volleyball team clinched first place in the New England Small College Athletic Conference regular season, defeating Wesleyan 3-1 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-19) in a match played at Bates on Friday evening.

In addition to securing the top seed and hosting rights for the NESCAC Tournament that will begin next Friday, the Polar Bears tied the program record with their 22nd win of the season, improving to 22-2 (9-0 NESCAC) heading into their regular season finale against Trinity on Saturday at Bates.

Kristin Hanczor had 14 kills and four blocks in the victory for Bowdoin while Melissa Haskell posted 11 kills and three blocks. Bowdoin collected 14 aces in the match, including four apiece from Hillary Cederna and Jillian Berkman, who also had 11 digs, and three aces with six blocks from Tory Edelman. Sophia Cornew had 34 assists in the win.

The 22 victories this season tie the program mark set by the 1988 team. The highest-ever finish for Bowdoin previously in the 12-year history of the conference was last season when the Polar Bears finished in third place. Bowdoin can become the first team to finish with a perfect record in conference play since 2008 with a win Saturday against Trinity.