Volleyball Earns Fourth Seed In MASCAC Tournament

Buzzards Bay, Mass. -  Westfield State College has earned the top seed in the 2009 Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference Volleyball Championships, which will take place on Saturday, November 7th at the Woodward Center in Westfield, Mass.

The Owls will take on fourth-seeded Framingham State College in the first semi-final round match at 11:00 a.m. EST, and the second semi-final contest between second-seeded Bridgewater State College and third-seeded Worcester State College follows at 1:00 p.m. EST. The two semi-final winners will meet for the 2009 MASCAC Championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Volleyball Championships approximately 30 minutes after the second semi-final contest.

Westfield State posted a perfect 6-0 MASCAC mark as part of a 17-win regular season performance under 2008 conference Coach of the Year Fred Glanville, as the Owls are led by sophomore outside hitter Alex Shaw (East Falmouth, Mass.), who has 283 kills to date, and senior outside hitter Stephanie Bartkus (North Merrick, N.Y.), who has registered 246 kills and 240 digs to date. Sophomore Kerin DeGirolamo (North Attleboro, Mass.) has posted 942 set assists as well for the Owls.

Defending tournament champion Bridgewater State posted five league triumphs and 10 overall victories under Head Coach Bob Roscoe, as the Bears are led by junior outside hitter Julie Clerc (Acushnet, Mass.), as last year's MASCAC Player of the Year has recorded 310 kills and 237 digs, while sophomore middle hitter Shelly DePina (New Bedford, Mass.) has added 267 kills and 60 blocks.

Worcester State posted 15 regular season victories, including four in conference play, under Head Coach Bernie Chase, and the Lancers are led by senior outside hitter Lauren Saylor (Swansea, Mass.), who has recorded 239 kills and 187 digs this fall, Senior middle blocker Colleen O'Brien (Shrewsbury, Mass.) had added 122 kills for Worcester State to date.

Framingham State posted a 14-15 overall record and a 3-3 MASCAC mark under Head Coach Richard Casali, as the Rams are led by junior outside hitter Ashley Trudeau's (Rockland, Mass.) 375 kills and 349 digs. Fellow junior outside hitter Lauren Kasischke (Methuen, Mass.) has chipped in with 170 kills and 205 digs to date for Framingham State.

Bridgewater State captured the 2008 MASCAC tournament title with a 3-0 victory over Westfield State in the championship match.

Release courtesy of MASCAC Sports Information.