SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Oct. 21, 2011) – The 2011 Volleyball Hall of Fame Women's Invitational kicked off with eight matches this evening on the campuses of Mount Holyoke College and Smith College. Now in its 20th year, the tournament features 16 teams from around the region.
Mount Holyoke got its weekend started with a 3-1 triumph over Gordon College. After dropping their first set, the Lyons took rebounded with wins in the next three. They were paced by first year setter Mollyanne Fitzpatrick, who recorded her fifth double-double of the year on 24 assists and 11 digs.
Sophomore middle hitter Kristina Weld racked up nine kills, while outside hitters Kathryn Brummer and Martina Kneifel chipped in with five kills apiece. First year defensive specialists Kaleen Iwema and Samantha Rosado finished with 13 digs and 11 digs, respectively.
Gordon (12-12, 1-6 CCC) was led by sophomore outside hitter Lauren Kranyak, who collected seven kills and three service aces. First year setter Joy Kimmel passed out 18 assists, while classmate Lauren Lukianuk and junior Martyna Bartasuite added six digs apiece.
The tournament will conclude tomorrow with all 16 teams playing two matches apiece. In addition to Mount Holyoke, Gordon and Smith, the field includes Brandeis University, Amherst College, MIT, Bowdoin College, Springfield College, Bridgewater State University, Colby College, Tufts University, Westfield State University, Wheaton College, Williams College, Wellesley College and Middlebury College.
Mount Holyoke (9-12, 2-5 NEWMAC) will face off against Westfield State at 10:00 a.m. and Colby at 2:00 p.m.
Over the course of the weekend, the Mount Holyoke Athletics Website will provide updated results and tournament recaps.
Day 1 Results (Friday, October 21)
Brandeis def. Smith, 3-0 (25-16, 26-24, 25-22)
Amherst def. MIT, 3-1 (20-25, 25-12, 25-14, 27-25)
Mount Holyoke def. Gordon, 3-1 (16-25, 25-12, 25-10, 25-20)
Tufts def. Westfield State, 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-14)
Springfield def. Bowdoin, 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-22)
Colby def. Bridgewater State, 3-0 (25-14, 25-7, 25-21)
Williams def. Wheaton, 3-0 (25-10, 25-12, 25-17)
Middlebury def. Wellesley, 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 13-25, 25-20)
Day 2 Schedule (Saturday, October 22)
10:00 a.m. - Bridgewater State vs. Smith (at Smith)
10:00 a.m. - Gordon vs. Bowdoin (at Smith)
10:00 a.m. - Westfield State vs. Mount Holyoke (at Mount Holyoke)
10:00 a.m. - Wheaton vs. Colby (at Mount Holyoke)
12:00 p.m. - Middlebury vs. MIT (at Smith)
12:00 p.m. - Brandeis vs. Amherst (at Smith)
12:00 p.m. - Wellesley vs. Williams (at Mount Holyoke)
12:00 p.m. - Tufts vs. Springfield (at Mount Holyoke)
2:00 p.m. - Westfield State vs. Smith (at Smith)
2:00 p.m. - Bowdoin vs. Brandeis (at Smith)
2:00 p.m. - Colby vs. Mount Holyoke (at Mount Holyoke)
2:00 p.m. - Wheaton vs. Gordon (at Mount Holyoke)
4:00 p.m. - Williams vs. Tufts (at Smith)
4:00 p.m. - MIT vs. Bridgewater State (at Smith)
4:00 p.m. - Amherst vs. Wellesley (at Mount Holyoke)
4:00 p.m. - Middlebury vs. Springfield (at Mount Holyoke)
