Trailblazers Get Primed for #1 seed Westfield State in MASCAC Volleyball Tournament
The fourth-seeded Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will take on the first-seeded Westfield State Owls in the first semi-final round match at 11:00 a.m. EDT
Buzzards Bay, Mass.— Defending champion Westfield State University has earned the top seed in the 2010 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Volleyball Championships, which will take place on Saturday, November 6th at the Woodward Center in Westfield, Mass.
The Owls will take on the fourth-seeded Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in the first semi-final round match at 11:00 a.m. EDT, and the second semi-final contest between second-seeded Bridgewater State University and third-seeded Worcester State University follows at 1:00 p.m. EST. The two semi-final winners will meet for the 2010 MASCAC Championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Volleyball Championships approximately 30 minutes after the second semi-final contest.
Westfield State posted a perfect 6-0 MASCAC mark as part of a 18-win regular season performance under Head Coach Fred Glanville, as the Owls are led by senior outside hitter Rachel Ryan (Westboro, Mass.), who has notched 292 kills, 216 digs and 49 service aces to date. Junior outside hitter Alex Shaw (East Falmouth, Mass.) has added 258 kills for Westfield State, which has also received 864 set assists and 187 digs from junior setter Kerin DeGirolamo (North Attleboro, Mass.).
Bridgewater State posted a 4-2 league mark as part of 14 regular season victories under first year Head Coach Liz Morris, as the Bears are led by junior middle hitter Shelly DePina (New Bedford, Mass.), who has 272 kills, 127 digs and 61 blocks to date. Senior outside hitter Julie Clerc (Acushnet, Mass.) has 195 kills and 202 digs for Bridgewater State, which has received 636 set assists from freshman setter Melanie Appleman (Hyannis, Mass.).
Worcester State posted 15 regular season victories and finished tied with Bridgewater State for second with four MASCAC wins under Head Coach Bernie Chase, and the Lancers are led by freshman outside hitter Megan Brown (Dartmouth, Mass.), who has 217 kills and 254 digs to date. Junior outside hitter Kristen Koles (Billerica, Mass.) and freshman setter Shawna Strazzere (Billerica, Mass.) have chipped in with 143 kills and 497 set assists, respectively.
MCLA posted 14 overall victories and a 3-3 MASCAC mark under Head Coach Amanda Beckwith, as the Trailblazers are paced by junior Kayla Bromback's (Lee, Mass.) 168 kills to date. Senior Amanda Lane (Swansea, Mass.) has recorded 510 digs for MCLA, which has also received 528 set assists from freshman Kristen Robillard (Swansea, Mass.).
Westfield State captured the 2009 MASCAC tournament title with a 3-1 victory over Bridgewater State in the championship match.
2010 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Volleyball Championships
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH – SEMI-FINALS (AT WOODWARD CENTER, WESTFIELD, MASS,)
Game #1: #4 MCLA (14-11, 3-3) at #1 Westfield State (18-12, 6-0) 11:00 am
Game #2: #3 Worcester State (15-16, 4-2) vs. #2 Bridgewater State (14-10, 4-2) 1:00 pm
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH – CHAMPIONSHIP (AT WOODWARD CENTER, WESTFIELD, MASS.)
Semi-Final Winners 30 minutes after second semi-final