BABSON PARK, Mass. - The Mount Holyoke College volleyball team concluded its 2018 season on Saturday, shouldering tough losses to New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) rival, Babson College and also to Worcester State University. Both losses were by 3-0 margins. The Lyons conclude their season with an 8-14 record, going 1-9 in conference play.
In the opening match against the Beavers, the Lyons found themselves down 2-0 following 25-12 and 25-9 decisions in the first two sets. MHC came back strong in the third set, keeping the match close right from the start. The Lyons opened a 6-3 lead following a kill from senior captain Sarah Caggiano, but the Beavers battled back, eventually tying it at 7-all on a kill from Avery Tronson.
The Lyons continued to lead after a service ace from senior outside hitter Isabell Linde made it a four-point score (17-13), but Babson once again rebounded, moving ahead with a 23-22 lead on a strike by Elizabeth Cameron. MHC was unable to battle back as the Beavers closed out the set and match behind a service ace from Shannon Roseen.
For Babson, Gaby Miller recorded a match-high 12 kills on 13 attempts with no errors for a .923 hitting percentage. She also added four digs and a block assist. Cameron had six kills on six swings for a perfect percentage, also adding 25 assists, two aces and three digs. Abby Beecher recorded a team-high 14 digs, while Catherine Hunter added two block assists.
Mount Holyoke saw Caggiano post a team-best eight kills with three digs. Senior captain Jamesa Allen added seven kills and an ace, while rookie Sarah Bishop had four kills, an ace and three digs. Sophomore Brayden Walden posted 15 assists, while senior Cameron Graham had a match-high 15 digs.
In the second match of the afternoon, the Lyons shouldered a tough 25-16, 25-14, 25-23 loss to the Lancers. Finding themselves down once again by a 2-0 margin, the Lyons battled in the third set tying the set at 13-all on a kill from Allen. MHC took advantage of a pair of errors, followed by kills from Linde and Allen to then go up 17-13.
Holding a 23-18 edge, the Lyons saw their lead erased as Stephanie Chapin and Amari King each recorded three kills to lift Worcester State to the set and match win.
WSU was paced by 15 kills from King, who completed the double-double with a match-high 16 digs. Chapin added 11 kills with a block solo and a block assist, while Allie Nolan recorded a match-best 38 assists.
For Mount Holyoke, Allen posted a match-high 16 kills with a block solo and a block assist. Graham had 15 digs with four assists and a service ace, while Walden added 21 assists and 13 digs.
