Day 2 Recap
SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Oct. 23, 2010) – The 2010 Volleyball Hall of Fame Women's Invitational (Tournament Website) concluded today, with Middlebury College and Bridgewater State University winning their respective brackets. A total of 16 teams participated in the 19th edition of the tournament, which was hosted by Smith College and Mount Holyoke College. Prior to the beginning of the event, the teams were ranked based on their results thus far this season. They were then broken up into two eight team brackets. The top eight squads competed in the "Gold Bracket", while the next eight played in the "Silver Bracket".
In the Gold Bracket's championship match, top seeded Middlebury breezed to a 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-21) triumph over sixth seeded Bowdoin College. With Tournament Most Valuable Player Lauren Barrett leading the way, the Panthers were flawless throughout the tournament. They won all three of their matches 3-0. Second seeded Amherst College topped fourth seeded Tufts University 3-1 (25-23, 25-18, 12-25, 25-18) to grab third place overall.
Fourth seeded Bridgewater State was the surprise winner in the Silver Bracket. The Bears made a dramatic comeback in their championship win over third seeded Union College. They trailed 2-0 before taking the final three sets to finish off the Dutchwomen by a score of 3-2 (23-25, 19-25, 25, 19, 25-23, 25-14). Prior to that contest, they knocked off top seeded Westfield State University 3-1. Bridgewater State was paced by Natalie Cohen, who went home with Most Valuable Player honors. In the third place contest, second seeded WPI downed Westfield State 3-0 (25-21, 25-11, 25-23).
After falling 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-16) to third seeded Union College last night, sixth seeded Mount Holyoke rebounded with a 3-0 (26-24, 25-12, 25-22) triumph over eight seeded Gordon College in its first match today. First year outside hitter Martina Kneifel delivered 12 kills, seven digs, four service aces and a block to lead the way. The Lyons also received a boost from classmate Kristina Weld, who came up with eight kills. Senior setter Kateryna Kuc dished out 24 assists, while senior defensive specialist Rosa Marruffo and sophomore outside hitter Kathryn Brummer came up with 18 and 20 digs, respectively.
Mount Holyoke was then blanked by fifth seeded Wheaton College 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 26-24) in its last match of the weekend. The Lyons finished in sixth place in the Silver Bracket and 14th place overall. Kneifel was named to the All-Tournament Team after posting six more kills and 12 more digs. Brummer registered seven kills, and Marruffo came up with 15 digs. Meanwhile, Kuc added 11 helpers.
The Lyons (8-15, 0-7 NEWMAC) will return to action on Tuesday, when they travel to Springfield College for a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference clash beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Over the course of the weekend, the Mount Holyoke Athletics Website provided updated results, brackets and tournament recaps. Click here to access the tournament website.
Day 1 Recap
SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Oct. 22, 2010) – The 2010 Volleyball Hall of Fame Women's Invitational kicked off with eight matches this evening. A total of 16 teams are participating in the tournament, which is being hosted by Smith College and Mount Holyoke College. Now in its 19th year, the tournament has been broken up into two eight team brackets. Prior to the beginning of the event, the teams were ranked based on their results thus far this season. The top eight teams are competing in the "Gold Bracket", while the next eight are playing in the "Silver Bracket".
Top seeded Middlebury College, second seeded Amherst College, fourth seeded Tufts University and sixth seeded Bowdoin College all claimed victories in the Gold Bracket. Middlebury, which took home top honors in the Silver Bracket last fall, cruised to a 3-0 victory over eighth seeded MIT in its 2010 opener. Meanwhile, Amherst pulled out a 3-1 win over seventh seeded Wellesley College after dropping its first set. Tufts also fell in its first set against fifth seeded Brandeis University before taking the next three to secure a 3-1 triumph. Bowdoin then closed out the night with an epic 3-2 triumph over third seeded Springfield College. After splitting the first two sets, the Polar Bears claimed an 18-16 win in the fifth. It was the lone upset of the day.
As a result of their victories this evening, Middlebury and Tufts will meet in the winner's bracket tomorrow. The other winner's bracket matchup will feature Amherst and Bowdoin. MIT will face off against Brandeis, and Wellesley will battle Springfield in the loser's bracket.
In the Silver Bracket, eighth seeded Smith College took top seeded Westfield State University to the limit before falling 3-2. Second seeded WPI downed seventh seeded Gordon College 3-0, and third seeded Union handed sixth seeded Mount Holyoke a 3-0 setback. Meanwhile, fourth seeded Bridgewater State University held on for a 3-1 victory over fifth seeded Wheaton College.
Looking forward to tomorrow, Westfield State will face off against Bridgewater State, and WPI will take on Union in the winner's bracket contests. In the loser's bracket, Mount Holyoke will clash with Gordon, and Smith will meet Wheaton.
The tournament will conclude tomorrow with all 16 teams playing two matches apiece.
Over the course of the weekend, the Mount Holyoke Athletics Website will provide updated results, brackets and tournament recaps. Click here to access the tournament website.
Tournament Preview
SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Oct. 21, 2010) – The 2010 Volleyball Hall of Fame Women's Invitational is slated to take place on the campuses of Mount Holyoke College and Smith College this weekend. Tournament action will kick off with eight matches tomorrow and conclude with 16 more on Saturday. A total of 16 teams from around New England are participating in the annual event.
Now in its 19th year, the tournament has been broken up into two eight team brackets. Prior to the beginning of the event, the teams were ranked based on their results thus far this season. The top eight teams are competing in the "Gold Bracket", while the next eight are playing in the "Silver Bracket".
Over the course of the weekend, the Mount Holyoke Athletics Website will provide updated results, brackets and tournament recaps. Click here to access the tournament website.
