VOLLEYBALL TEAM TAKES 2ND IN COLONIAL CLASSIC
Oct. 25, 2008
DANBURY, Conn. - The Emmanuel Women's Volleyball Team won two of three matches over the weekend to finish in second place at Western Connecticut State University's Colonial Classic. The Saints knocked off Babson College, 3-1, on Friday night and then defeated Eastern Nazarene College on Saturday, 3-1, before falling to the host Colonials, 3-0, on Saturday in the tournament championship.
Senior outside hitter Lindsey Parker (New Bedford, Mass.) hit an incredible .429 with 16 kills in 35 attempts to lead Emmanuel to a 3-1 win over Babson in the tournament's opening match. After falling to the Beavers in the opening set, 23-25, Emmanuel came back to win three-straight sets (25-21, 25-22, 25-19) and take the match.
Freshman hitter Rebecca Stanton (Quincy, Mass.) hit .333 with 10 kills in 24 attempts, while classmate Jenna Ross (Centerburg, Ohio) chipped in with 6 kills and 14 digs in the win. Sophomore libero Megan Clary (Cumberland, R.I.) collected a team-high 20 digs, while rookie setter Kathryne Olsen (Fairhaven, Mass.) dished out 32 assists to go along with her 19 digs. Junior middle Nicole McAllister (Hampden, Maine) notched 9 blocks in the win for the Saints.
Emmanuel then opened up Saturday's action by downing Eastern Nazarene College for the second time this season. Parker again led the way for Emmanuel with another 16 kills, as well as 6 digs and 5 blocks. The Saints spread their defense around with three players notching double-figures in digs (Ross - 15, Cynthia Hernandez - 14, Samantha Murphy - 10). Junior middle Diana Grimaldi (Sandy Hook, Conn.) tallied 5 kills and 9 digs in the win. Hernandez setted all 4 sets and came away with 28 assists for Emmanuel.
The Saints were overmatched in the tournament championship and fell hard to the Colonials in three sets, 15-25, 16-25, 19-25. Clary and Ross combined for 33 digs, while Stanton totaled a team-high 5 kills in the effort. Parker's performance over the weekend earned the senior All-Tournament Team honors.
Emmanuel is now 13-13 overall and remains 7-2 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) heading into Wednesday's home match with Simmons College. The Saints will take on the visiting Sharks in a 7pm start at the Jean Yawkey Center.