Springfield, Mass. – September 3, 2011 – The Springfield College women’s volleyball team used a balanced attack to sweep the University of New England in three sets, and then later defeated Roger Williams University, 3-1, to win its own Springfield Invitational in Blake Arena in this opening weekend of the season.

In the first match of the day, set scores in favor of the Pride were 25-21, 25-13, 26-24 over UNE. In the Pride’s second match of the day, SC defeated Roger Williams, 3-1. Set scores were 15-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-16.

In the other 10 am match, Roger Williams defeated Westfield State, 3-0. Set scores there were 25-21, 25-20, 25-23.

In the 12:30 pm matches, Plymouth State gave Roger Williams its first loss of the tourney, winning 3-1. Set scores were 25-18, 20-25, 25-23, 25-16. And in the other 12:30 pm match, it was Westfield State winning its first match of the tourney over UNE, 3-1. Set scores were 25-17, 21-25, 25-22, 25-20.

In the other 3 pm match, it was Plymouth State defeating Westfield State, 3-1. Those set scores were 25-19, 20-25, 25-14, 25-20.

Thus, after all was said and done, Springfield finished 4-0, Plymouth State went 3-1 to become the official runner-up, Roger Williams finished 2-2, Westfield State went 1-3, and University of New England ended 0-4..

SC MATCH #1
In the Springfield/UNE match at 10 am, sophomore outside hitter Tessa Smolinski (Hebron, Conn.) led the charge for the Pride with 10 kills, nine digs, and a .450 hitting percentage. Behind her was senior middle blocker Lauren Torvi (No. Smithfield, R.I.) with nine kills and two blocks with a .400 hitting percentage. Junior middle blocker Mary Consol (Long Valley, N.J.) had her best match of the young season with eight kills and three blocks. And senior opposite and tri-captain Kim Giaquinto (Massapequa, N.Y.) finished with seven kills, three digs, and three blocks. Senior libero Itza Nieves (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico) led her team with 12 digs.

For the Nor’easters from the University of New England, sophomore middle blocker Angie Brunette (North Andover, Mass.) topped her squad with nine kills. She was followed by junior middle blocker Paige Curran (Chelmsford, Mass.) with eight kills, four digs, and a block. Senior outside hitter Abby Davis (Somersworth, N.H.) led her team with 12 digs. Sophomore setter Maria Kuehl (Middleton, N.H.) and junior outside hitter Jackie Stone (Saginaw, Mich.) had seven digs apiece.

Set #3 proved interesting as SC seemed to be in control, up 24-20. But the Nor’easters scored the next four points to tie matters. SC, however, powered the last two points home to win it, 26-24.

SC MATCH #2
In the final match of the day and of the tournament, Roger Williams had ideas of its own to try to steal the championship. The Hawks won the first set by a convincing score of 25-15.

But the Pride of Springfield College came back to win the final three sets, 25-16, 25-23, 25-16. Set #4 in that match proved to be decisive, as SC mounted a comeback.

Itza Nieves, a senior libero from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, was named the tournament’s MVP. Also named from Springfield College to the All-Tournament team was senior middle blocker Lauren Torvi (No. Smithfield, R.I.).

The remainder of the all-tournament team will be named later.

Springfield College Invitational– Day 2
September 3, 2011
Springfield College 3, UNE 0 (25-21, 25-13, 26-24)
Roger Williams 3, Westfield State 0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-23)
Plymouth State 3, Roger Williams 1 (25-18, 20-25, 25-23, 25-16)
Westfield State 3, UNE 1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-22, 25-20)
Plymouth State 3, Westfield State 1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-14, 25-20)
Springfield College 3. RWU 1 (15-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-16)