Results | Roster | Statistics | News
Fifth-year head coach Sonnie Terrell guided the Mount Holyoke volleyball team to an overall record of 3-20 in 2012.
The Lyons opened the season with a challenging tri-match against St. Joseph University and nationally-ranked Amherst. MHC posted a 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays, but were unable to solve the Jeffs, falling by a 3-0 margin despite a game-best 19 digs from sophomore defensive specialist Kaleen Iwema.
Mount Holyoke faced a series of setbacks with losses in four straight, but continued to battle as they posted a 3-0 victory over Elms behind a game-best seven kills from three different players, a match-high 23 digs from Iwema and a game-high 12 assists from first year setter Gaby Harrigan.
The Lyons later posted a 3-0 victory at Norwich, paced by the outstanding efforts of first year outside hitter Emma Sweeting, who recorded a game-best 11 kills and five service aces. Junior outside hitter Martina Kneifel was also a dynamic presence in the win with nine kills.
Despite struggles over the remainder of the season, the Lyons continued to fight and battled several squads to fourth sets. Mount Holyoke had a strong showing at the Seven Sisters Championship as Sweeting recorded 20 kills during the competition and sophomore setter Stephany Yang had 39 assists on the weekend. Both were named to the All-Tournament Team.
The Lyons had a solid effort during the annual Volleyball Hall of Fame as well. MHC opened the competition against Colby College and despite the 3-1 loss, several players had outstanding games. Sweeting posted 13 kills, five aces and 14 digs, Kneifel added 10 kills and 13 digs, while Yang had 26 assists and 14 digs. Kneifel was later named to the All-Tournament Team.
Mount Holyoke closed out the season with tough-fought losses to NEWMAC-rivals Smith and MIT, the eventual conference champions.
Leading the way during the season was Sweeting, who posted 200 kills. She also had 35 service aces and 178 digs over 23 matches. Kneifel added 139 kills, 21 aces and 191 digs, while junior middle hitter Kristina Weld chipped in with 100 kills, 21 aces and 99 digs.
Iwema paced the squad in digs, recording 276 while adding 39 kills, including 16 aces with 25 assists. Yang finished as the team's top assist getter, recording 361 assists over 21 matches. She was also fourth on the squad in digs with 177.
Academically, the Lyons saw five student-athletes named to the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference squad, including Iwema, Kneifel, Weld, Yang and sophomore outside hitter Rebecca Bland.
• Finished 10th in the NEWMAC standings
• Posted wins over St. Joseph's University, Elms College & Norwich University
• NEWMAC Sportsmanship Award
• Finished fifth at Seven Sisters Championships
• Seven Sisters All-Tournament Team – Emma Sweeting '16 & Stephany Yang '15
• Hall of Fame All-Tournament Team – Martina Kneifel '14
• NEWMAC Academic All-Conference – Rebecca Bland '15, Kaleen Iwema '15, Martina Kneifel '14, Kristina Weld '14 and Stephany Yang '15
