Northampton, Mass. – October 24, 2008 – By virtue of a thrilling five-game victory over Tufts, the top-ranked team in New England, the Springfield College women’s volleyball team won the 2008 Volleyball Hall of Fame Classic on Saturday evening.
Springfield, which had previously lost to Tufts at the MIT Invitational this season, avenged the loss to the Jumbos with tonight’s five-game win. In compelling fashion, Springfield rallied to win 25-23, 24-26, 20-25, 25-20, 15-11.
Springfield has now won 12 matches in a row and stand at 26-4.
In the semifinal, the Pride defeated conference-rival Wellesley, 22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-21.
Heather Lively was selected as the MVP of the tournament, as she hammered out 19 kills in the championship match.
However, it was an impressive team performance as the Pride took down the Jumbos. Aylene Ilkson also notched 19 kills in the victory and made several incredible plays in the fifth game to lead Springfield.
Out of the middle, Bethany Stosz had a standout performance as she registered 14 kills and had just one error in the match. Sarah Lang-Rodean chipped in with 10 kills as well for Springfied.
On the defensive side of the ball, Heidi Yohe continued to be sensational for the Pride, as she picked up 29 digs in the five-game victory.
In the fifth game, the Pride as a team delivered 11 kills with no errors, while in the key fourth game, the Pride offense was clicking on all cylinders, racking up 18 kills.
In the semifinal win over the Wellesley Blue, Lively powered the Pride to victory on the offensive side of the ball with 22 kills. Lang-Rodean also posted 11 kills for the Pride.
The story of the match was the Pride’s outstanding defense, which was led by Yohe. Yohe, the Pride’s libero, registered a sensational 33 digs, including 15 digs alone in one game. Ilkson also had a terrific match with 22 digs.
Stosz recorded seven blocks, including four solo stops, while Kim Giaquinto added seven blocks of her own.
Springfield returns to action on Tuesday when it travels to take on WPI.
