Volleyball Falls to Westfield State in MASCAC Title Game

WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Tournament MVP Rachel Ryan had a game-high 17 kills to lead Westfield State to a 3-1 victory (25-15, 21-25, 25-16, 25-21) over Bridgewater State in the Massachusetts State College Athletics Conference (MASCAC) women's volleyball tournament championship game on Saturday, Nov. 7.  

Westfield, 19-15 overall, earns a bid to its first NCAA Division III tournament. The Owls also won the MASCAC regular season championship with a 6-0 record.  

Westfield, which defeated Bridgewater, 3-0, on Oct. 24 and Oct. 27, trailed 17-12 in the fourth game. With senior Stephanie Bartkus serving, the Owls went on a decisive 11-0 run to take a 23-17 lead.  Ryan, a junior outside hitter, had five kills during the key scoring spurt. 

Sophomore Alex Shaw finished with 12 kills for the Owls in 23 attack attempts for a fine .478 percentage. Kerin DeGirolamo racked up 43 assists and Katie Kurty contributed 24 digs. Bartkus had eight kills and 16 digs.  

Sophomore Shelly DePina led Bridgewater (11-20 overall record) with 13 kills, followed by Julie Clerc (11) and Ashley Gelinas (10). Natalie Cohen had 37 assists and Brianne Cobb contributed 21 digs.

The Bears advanced to the MASCAC tournament championship match with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 29-27) victory over Worcester State in the semifinals.  

In the third game of the match, Worcester State held a 24-21 lead before Bridgewater battled back for the hard-earned victory.  

Sophomore Shelly DePina led the Bears with 17 kills; she had a .484 hitting percentage. Julie Clerc and Kristina Campbell had 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Natalie Cohen racked up 40 assists for the Bears and Brianne Cobb collected 16 digs.  

Lauren Saylor led the Lancers with 13 kills and Joanne Grenier had 18 digs.