THE MATCHUP: Mount Holyoke kicks off its NEWMAC slate versus MIT this evening at the Mildred. S. Howard Gymnasium. In 42 pervious meetings between the programs, the Engineers have prevailed 36 times. They downed the Lyons for the 15th time in a row last fall, winning by a score of 3-0. Match Program

THE LYONS: After falling 3-0 to Daniel Webster College in its 2011 opener on Saturday, Mount Holyoke (1-1, 0-0 NEWMAC) rebounded with a 3-1 triumph over Saint Joseph College later that day. Martina Kneifel set the tone for Lyons, totaling 18 kills, 13 digs and five service aces. The outside hitter recorded her seventh career double on 13 kills and 10 digs against Saint Joseph. Fellow outside hitter Kathryn Brummer also enjoyed a productive afternoon. After collecting eight kills and eight digs against Daniel Webster, she notched her fourth career double-double on 10 kills and 12 digs against Saint Joseph. Rookie setters Alison Chu and Mollyanne Fitzpatrick combined for 52 assists, while middle hitter Tyler Protano-Goodwin added six blocks.

THE ENGINEERS: MIT (8-0, 0-0 NEWMAC) has been perfect in eight matches thus far this season. The Engineers have dropped just six sets over their first eight matches. They have been paced by outside hitter Trinity Leonard, who has tallied 2.81 kills and 1.48 digs per set. Right side hitter Kelly Schulte has delivered 1.78 kills per set, while setters Alyssa Rothman and Sharon Hao have dished out 162 assists. On the defensive side of the ball, libero Katie Spielbauer has racked up 3.33 digs per set. As a team, the Engineers have amassed 55 blocks. Middle hitter Kristine Bunker has accounted for 23 of those. 

NEXT UP: Mount Holyoke will return to action on Thursday, when it visits the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for a non-conference contest beginning at 7:00 p.m. MIT is scheduled to host Clark University (11:00 a.m.) and Simmons College (3:00 p.m.) on Saturday.