THE MATCHUP: Mount Holyoke hosts Amherst College and the University of St. Joseph for a tri-match today at the Mildred S. Howard Gymnasium. After facing off against St. Joseph at 11:00 a.m., the Lyons will meet up with Amherst at 3:00 p.m. The remaining match will feature Amherst and St. Joseph at 1:00 p.m. Mount Holyoke owns a 7-21 record against Amherst and has gone 10-4 all-time against the Blue Jays. Last fall, outside hitter Martina Kneifel posted a team best 13 kills to go with 10 digs. She also piled up five of Mount Holyoke's 18 service aces as the Lyons won 3-1.
THE BLUE JAYS: St. Joseph (1-3) saw Ciara Perez post 10 kills, five aces and eight digs, but the USJ came up just short against Bay Path in a 3-1 loss on Wednesday. Additionally, Perez was named to the All-Tournament team at the Gordon Invitational to start the season.
THE LORD JEFFS: Amherst (0-0, 0-0 NESCAC) kicks off its 2012 campaign this weekend. Last season, the Lord Jeffs posted a 20-7 record, going 6-4 in NESCAC play. The squad advanced to the conference quarterfinals before bowing out in a 3-1 loss to Trinity.
THE LYONS: Mount Holyoke (0-0, 0-0 NEWMAC) steps onto the court for the first time in 2012 on Saturday under the direction of fifth-year head coach Sonnie Terrell. Last year, the Lyons posted a record of 9-16. MHC exploded out of the gate in 2011, winning seven of their first 11 matches. Included in that run were 3-1 victories over the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Wheaton College. Outside hitter Martina Kneifel and defensive specialist Kaleen Iwema were named to the All-Tournament Team at the Seven Sisters Championship in early October. Ten days later, Kneifel lifted the Lyons to a thrilling 3-2 triumph over longtime rival Smith College. Kneifel finished the year with 2.91 kills and 3.05 digs per set to go with 35 service aces and 16 blocks. She also recorded six double-doubles and had a hitting percentage of .164. Outside hitter Kathryn Brummer collected 1.65 kills and 2.31 digs per set. Meanwhile, Iwema recorded 3.83 digs per set.
NEXT UP: Mount Holyoke opens its NEWMAC schedule on Tuesday, when it hosts Wellesley College for a match beginning at 7:00 p.m. St. Joseph hosts Mitchell College on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., while Amherst hosts Emerson on Tuesday, also at 7:00 p.m.
