SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Sept. 9, 2010) – With first year outside hitter Martina Kneifel leading the way, the Mount Holyoke College volleyball team cruised to a 3-0 (25-17, 25-11, 25-13) triumph over Bay Path College this evening at the Mildred S. Howard Gymnasium. It was the Lyons fifth straight season opening victory. They are now perfect in three all-time meetings with the Wildcats.
Kneifel was dominant in her collegiate debut, piling up 13 kills, 10 digs and four service aces. Mount Holyoke also received outstanding play from sophomores Kathryn Brummer and Morgan Cooley, who finished with eight kills apiece.
Senior setter Kateryna Kuc amassed 30 assists and four digs. It was the fifth time in her career that she has tallied 30 or more helpers in a match. As a team, the Lyons exploded for 19 service aces. Senior defensive specialist Rosa Marruffo accounted for five of those.
Bay Path was paced by junior outside hitter Vanessa Chaplin, who collected two kills, 10 digs and a pair of service aces. The Wildcats also received a boost from sophomore setter Ashley Provost, who delivered six assists. First year middle hitter Analiz Garcia added two blocks.
Mount Holyoke (1-0, 0-0 NEWMAC) will return to action on Saturday, when it hosts St. Joseph College and Daniel Webster College for a tri-match. The Lyons will face off against St. Joseph at noon and Daniel Webster at 4:00 p.m. Bay Path (1-1, 0-0 NECC) is also slated to play a pair on Saturday at Johnson State College. The Wildcats will get things going with a match against Anna Maria College at 3:00 p.m. before closing things out at 5:00 p.m. against Johnson State.
