Women's Volleyball Wins Tom Hay Invitational
Match OneMatch Two
Match Three
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., October 8, 20005 – Springfield College junior libero Leah Hettrick (Meriden, Conn.) recorded a team-best 39 digs (4.33/game) and eight service aces in three matches, and was named the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) as the Pride captured the 2005 Tom Hay Invitational this afternoon, October 8, held in Blake Arena and Dana Gymnasium on the campus of Springfield College.
SC swept away the competition this afternoon, downing Keene State, Gordon and Westfield State, all by 3-0 margins. Senior setter Alesia Vaccari (Winsted, Conn.) totaled 87 assists in the three Tom Hay matches, giving her a career total of 4,819 to date. The co-captain needs 270 more assists this season to surpass former Pride standout, Jen Svatik, who is the all-time leader at SC in assists with 5,088.
Junior middle blocker MaryKathryn O’Neil (Liverpool, N.Y.) and freshman defensive specialist Caitlin Mulroy (Syracuse, N.Y.) each garnered positions on the All-Tournament Team. O’Neil led the way with 35 kills in three matches, good for a 3.89 kills-per-game average, including a 16-kill performance against Westfield State. Mulroy had a very solid afternoon for the Pride, collecting 31 digs (3.44/game), 15 assists (1.67/game) and four service aces en route to earning her first career All-Tournament honors.
Keene State senior Shelly Ellis and freshman Brittany O’Bryant were named to the All-Tournament Team along with Gordon junior Chelsea Pettibone and Westfield State senior Lindsay Dalene.
The Pride improves to 20-4 overall on the season as it will next travel to Smith College for a critical New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) match on Tuesday night, October 11, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 810:00 a.m. Matches
Springfield def. Keene State, 3-0 (30-28, 30-12, 30-24)
Gordon def. Westfield State, 3-1 (19-30, 30-14, 30-23, 30-15)
12:00 noon Matches
Springfield def. Gordon, 3-0 (30-26, 30-27, 30-22)
Keene State def. Westfield State, 3-1 (25-30, 30-19, 30-22, 30-25)
3:00 p.m. Matches
Springfield def. Westfield State, 3-0 (30-16, 30-22, 30-18)
Keene State def. Gordon, 3-0 (30-28, 32-30, 30-23)
All-Tournament Team
MaryKathryn O’Neil – Springfield
Caitlin Mulroy – Springfield
Chelsea Pettibone – Gordon
Brittany O’Bryant – Keene State
Shelly Ellis – Keene State
Lindsay Dalene – Westfield State
MVP – Leah Hettrick – Springfield
Team Links
- 2008 Schedule
- 2008 Roster
- 2007 Statistics
- 2008 JV Schedule
- Photo Gallery
- Recruiting Brochure (.pdf)
- NEWMACsports.com
- Recruit Me!
- Team Archives
Head Coach Joel Dearing
Joel Dearing will enter his 20th season as head women's volleyball coach at his alma mater in the fall of 2008. Dearing is regarded nationally as one of the sport’s best coaches and he has the resume to prove it. Dearing ranks in the top-10 in Division III history with a 638-293 (.685) overall mark in 27 seasons as a women’s volleyball coach.
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