SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Oct. 27, 2012) – Junior middle hitter Kristine Bunker notched 13 kills and several other players had strong performances to lead the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to a 3-0 victory over Mount Holyoke College in NEWMAC volleyball action on Saturday. The game, which was the final regular season contest for both squads, saw the Engineers improve to 27-5 overall and 7-2 in conference play, while the Lyons concluded their season with a 3-20 mark and an 0-9 record in the NEWMAC.

The two teams played to a close first set, but the visitors grabbed the 25-19 victory to take the 1-0 lead. MIT, which got strong performances from a number of players, including a match-high 21 assists from senior setter Alyssa Rothman (Plainview, N.Y./Plainview JFK), took the second set by a 25-18 margin.

Mount Holyoke continued to battle, but could not overcome the Engineers solid front as MIT took set three, 25-8.

In addition to Bunker, who also had three blocks in the game, MIT saw first year Ada Taylor (Durham, N.C./NC School for Science and Mathematics) post five kills and three blocks. Senior libero Katie Spielbauer (Lakeview, Mich./Morely Stanwood) chipped in with a game-best 18 digs, while junior defensive specialist Sharon Hao (San Jose, Calif./Lynbrook) added 11 digs and six service aces.

For Mount Holyoke, junior outside hitter Martina Kneifel (Oro Valley, Ariz./Canyon del Oro) had four kills and four digs with two blocks, while first year Emma Sweeting (Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y./Hastings) added three kills and eight digs. She also had two service aces. Sophomore setter Stephany Yang (Glen Allen, Va./Henrico) had eight assists with six digs, while sophomore libero Kaleen Iwema (Wadsworth, Ill./Warren Township) recorded a team-best 15 digs.

MIT returns to action next week when it competes in the NEWMAC Championships.