OLSEN TALLIES 2,000th ASSIST AS WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TOPS SIMMONS, 3-0
Oct. 19, 2010
BOSTON, Mass. - The Emmanuel College women's volleyball team defeated Simmons College, 3-0 on Tuesday evening at the Jean Yawkey Center in Boston, Mass.
The Saints improved to 11-13 on the season while Simmons dropped to 4-16.
Emmanuel got off to a hot start in the match, extending its lead in opening frame thanks to an ace by sophomore Samantha Andazola (Queen Creek, Ariz.). The set eventually proved to be a special occasion for one Emmanuel player, when junior Kathryne Olsen (Fairhaven, Mass.) recorded her 2,000th career assist for the Saints. Play was momentarily stopped so that Olsen could be congratulated by Emmanuel coaches Denitra Seals and Katie Lapinski, as well as her teammates and the spectators. Riding Olsen's momentous performance, the Saints surged ahead to record a 25-21, first set victory.
Senior Megan Clary (Cumberland, R.I.) helped give the Saints a boost in the second set, staying on serve and racking up points for the hosts to earn a 19-15 edge in the frame. The Saints continued to hold their lead through timeouts, as the defense remained strong to the set, 25-16 and hold a 2-0 lead in sets for the match.
Sophomore Yun-Ting Lee (Cambridge, Mass.) tallied an ace to open the third set, but the Sharks found their footing to even the match out at 4-4. Simmons managed to find strength in the frame and emerged with a 13-12 lead in the set, but Emmanuel got another ace from Andazola and retook the lead, 20-13. Emmanuel finished strong and won the final set, 25-20.
Emmanuel was led by junior Rebecca Stanton (Quincy, Mass.) who registered a team-high, nine kills and seven blocks for the Saints. Olsen chipped in with 22 assists and Andazola finished the day with six service aces.
Senior middle hitter, Taylor Pederson (San Antonio, Texas) guided the Sharks with exceptional all-around play, including leading the team in kills with 11.
The Saints will travel to take on Albertus Magnus and St. Joseph's College this Saturday in Standish, Maine.