Cambridge, Mass. – September 24, 2010 – Led by senior Kelsea Hellyar, the Springfield College women’s volleyball team cruised past its first two opponents in the MIT Invitational on Friday evening. The Pride swept both Endicott and Colby to advance to the Gold Bracket on Saturday afternoon, where it will take on conference-rival Wellesley at 12:00 pm.
Springfield, which is ranked the top team in New England and is receiving votes in the AVCA National Poll, is now 12-1 on the season.
Hellyar and classmate Heather Lively were unstoppable in Springfield’s 3-0 win over Endicott to begin the afternoon. Winning by the scores of 25-20, 25-21, 25-16, Springfield benefited from Lively’s 16 kills, in which she hit .429. Hellyar continued to run a potent offense as the senior setter delivered 41 assists in just three games.
The Pride finished up its evening with a 25-15, 25-21, 25-14 sweep of Colby. Hellyar racked up 26 assists, nine digs, and three aces, while teammate Lauren Torvi posted a team-best nine kills in the victory.
As for Saturday’s competition, Springfield and Wellesley will play in one semifinal, while Williams and Tufts will battle it out in the other semifinal. The winners will play in the championship match, which is scheduled to take place at 4:00 pm. Last season, Wellesley won all three meetings against the Pride, including in the semifinals for the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Cnoference (NEWMAC) Tournament.
