SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Sept. 20, 2011) – First year outside hitter Kelsey Hickle posted 10 kills and four service aces to lead the Coast Guard Academy volleyball team to a 3-0 victory over NEWMAC foe Mount Holyoke College this evening at the Mildred S. Howard Gymnasium.

Mount Holyoke was paced by sophomore outside hitter Martina Kneifel, who tallied eight kills and 13 digs. First year setter Mollyanne Fitzpatrick dished out 12 assists, while classmate Kaleen Iwema added 14 digs from the libero position. Fellow rookie Alison Chu finished the night with four kills, eight digs and five assists.

Hickle was aided by junior outside hitter Keriann Mason, who collected seven kills and eight digs. Classmate Catherine Walker recorded eight kills, while sophomore outside hitter Sam Marmolejo chipped in with eight digs. The Bears also received a boost from junior setter Karen Matic, who racked up 30 assists.

Mount Holyoke (3-3, 1-2 NEWMAC) is slated to take part in a tri-match at Elms College on Saturday. After tangling with the Blazers at noon, the Lyons will face off against Castleton State College at 2:00 p.m. Meanwhile, Coast Guard (7-2, 2-1 NEWMAC) is scheduled to compete in the Amherst College Invitational this weekend. The Bears will meet up with Middlebury College on Friday at 7:00 p.m. before competing against Brandeis University (11:00 a.m.) and Amherst (2:00 p.m.) on Saturday.