SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Oct. 1, 2011) – Led by outside hitters Martina Kneifel and Kathryn Brummer, the Mount Holyoke volleyball team cruised to victories over Mills College and Bay Path College today at the Mildred S. Howard Gymnasium. The duo combined for 43 kills for the Lyons, who have now prevailed in six of their last eight contests.

Mount Holyoke piled up 17 service aces in its 3-1 win over Mills. After dropping the first set, the Lyons rolled in the next three to seal things. It was their first ever meeting with the Cyclones, who travelled to the east coast from Oakland, California. Prior to their arrival in South Hadley, they played matches at Elms College and Smith College.

Brummer set the tone for the hosts, collecting 14 kills and eight digs. Kneifel contributed nine kills, eight digs, four assists and three aces. Meanwhile, first year setter Mollyanne Fitzpatrick piled up 23 assists and a career-best eight aces. Rounding things out for the Lyons were first year defensive specialist Kaleen Iwema and sophomore middle hitter Kristina Weld. Iwema recorded 13 digs, while Weld added seven kills and five aces.

Mills was paced by first year setter Jessica Lord, who posted a double-double on 18 assists and 11 digs while also chipping in with five kills. First year middle blockers Julia Harencar and Amy Fowler collected seven and six kills, respectively. Meanwhile, sophomore defensive specialist Aisha Gonzalez added 14 digs.

Mount Holyoke closed out the day with a 3-0 triumph over Bay Path. This time, Kneifel set the tone with 12 kills. Brummer finished with eight kills and five digs. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick dished out 13 more assists. The Lyons are perfect in four all-time meetings with the Wildcats. They have dropped just one set in the process.

Bay Path was led by senior middle hitter Nadine Harkless, who came up with 11 kills and eight digs. Sophomore middle hitter Kate Bartels amassed six kills and six digs, while junior setter Ashley Provost distributed 23 helpers.

Prior to their match against Mount Holyoke, the Wildcats overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Mills 3-2.

Mount Holyoke (7-4, 1-3 NEWMAC) will resume its NEWMAC schedule on Tuesday, when it visits Clark University for a match beginning at 7:00 p.m. Bay Path (8-7, 1-0 NECC) is slated to host NECC foe Newbury College on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Meanwhile, Mills (3-10) will return to the west coast to face off against Pacific Union College on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.