SPRINGFIELD, Mass., March 29, 2006 - Springfield College freshman middle blocker Andrew Sipe (New Oxford, Pa.) has been named this week’s Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Division III Player of the Week, in a report announced on Tuesday morning (March 28).

Sipe, a native of New Oxford, Pa., where he was a member of the Yorktown Volleyball Club, had three most impressive matches this past week for the Pride. In a 3-2 win over EIVA Conference-Hay Division foe, Sacred Heart University, Sipe recorded 11 kills on 21 swings with just four errors for a .333 hitting percentage to go along with five blocks and two service aces.

In a home match against Division III’s top-ranked team, Juniata College, this past Friday evening (March 24), the freshman registered a match-best 10 blocks to go along with seven kills and two service aces. In a 3-1 win at home against the University of New Haven (March 25), Sipe produced yet another match-high in blocks, this time with seven. In the conference victory over New Haven, the middle blocker also compiled an impressive .625 hitting percentage with 11 kills on 16 swings and just one error.

SC currently stands with a 10-13 overall record and 8-3 mark in the EIVA-Hay. The Pride will next compete as the three-seed in the semifinals of the EIVA Division III Championship, hosted by Juniata College.

SC will take on No. 2 New York University this Friday night, March 31, in a 6:00 p.m. start. No. 1 Juniata will face No. 4 Vassar College in the second semifinal at 8:00 p.m., with the winners advancing to the championship match on Saturday afternoon, April 1, in a 4:00 p.m. start.

published: 03/29/2006