SPRINGFIELD, Mass., October 24, 2006 – Springfield College senior middle blocker MaryKathryn O’Neil (Liverpool, N.Y.) led all players with 13 kills and five blocks as the Pride, ranked fourth in the latest NCAA Division III New England Regional poll, downed the WPI Engineers this evening, 3-0, in a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) match-up on SC’s ‘Senior Night.’
With the win, the Pride improves to 24-7 overall and 6-2 in conference action, as WPI falls to 10-15 overall and remains winless (0-8) in the NEWMAC. SC will finish up its league regular-season on Saturday afternoon, October 28th, in a 1:00 p.m. start to determine its seeding in the NEWMAC Tournament, starting on Tuesday night, November 31st.
Senior libero Leah Hettrick (Meriden, Conn.) led the way on defense with a match-high 14 digs. For her career to date, Hettrick has racked up an impressive 2,432 digs, which is first all-time in Springfield College women’s volleyball history, 11th all-time in Division III history, and 16th all-time in collegiate women’s volleyball history (all divisions).
Sophomore setter Caitlin Mulroy (Syracuse, N.Y.) produced a match-best 28 assists in the win for the Pride to go along with five digs, four kills, two blocks, and one service ace. Sophomore defensive specialist Jessica Baldwin (Fairport, N.Y.) contributed with a team-high three service aces.
The Engineers were led by sophomore libero Katie Bomba with a team-best nine digs in the losing effort. WPI senior setter Jennifer Parker had 12 assists, four digs and three service aces for the Engineers.
Moira Long will enter her second season as head women's volleyball coach in the fall of 2012. Long wasted little time putting her stamp on the program, taking the Pride to the NCAA Championship Elite Eight in 2011.
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