Providence, R.I. – September 12, 2009 – Springfield College captured the 2009 JWU Invitational at the Harborside Recreation Center on Saturday afternoon. Junior setter Kelsea Hellyar was named the tournamentÂ's Most Outstanding Player after leading the Pride to the championship with a perfect 4-0 mark for the weekend.
The Pride won its first match of the day against Connecticut College in four games by the scores of 27-25, 18-25, 25-19, 25-19 before taking down Johnson & Wales in five games in the championship match. Springfield downed JWU 25-11, 25-21, 23-25, 27-29, 15-8.
Hellyar was tremendous throughout the weekend, but had a standout match against Johnson & Wales as she dished out a career-best 61 assists in the five-game victory. Sarah Lang-Rodean led the offense with 16 kills while hitting .412 en route to the championship.
Earlier in the day against Connecticut College, Hellyar racked up 37 assists in the win. Heather Lively posted 11 kills, while Lauren Torvi chipped in with nine kills in the match.
Springfield, the defending New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Champions, opens up league play on Tuesday evening when it hosts Wheaton at 7:00 pm in Blake Arena.
