SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Western England College women's volleyball team won both its matches at the WNEC Invitational Friday evening (Sept. 11) in the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

The Golden Bears defeated Westfield State 3-1 (25-22, 23-25, 25-19, 25-14) in their opening match and blanked Bay Path 3-0 (25-8, 25-8, 25-12). WNEC is now 4-3 and has won its last three outings.

Junior setter Katharina Boes (Buffalo Grove, IL) had a big night with 33 assists against the Owls and 15 assists with six service aces against the Wildcats.

Senior outside hitter Rachel Cervone (West Springfield, MA) had 14 kills in the two matches, including 10 against Westfield.

Junior outside hitter Samantha Shomo (Glen Gardner, NJ) contributed 10 kills, eight digs and three service aces in the opener while junior libero Marci Egbert (Wayne, NJ) also chipped-in with eight digs.

Freshman outside hitter Jennifer Mears (Amherst, MA) added five kills against Bay Path.

Western Connecticut also captured both its matches, defeating Bath Path 3-0 (25-7, 25-16, 25-9) and Westfield State 3-2 (25-20, 25-27, 23-25, 25-13, 15-10). The Colonials are now 5-2.

Junior setter Sammie Hathaway (Milford, CT) compiled a season-high 55 assists against Westfield while sophomore libero Kelley Collins (Massapequa, NY) totaled 31 digs. Senior middle hitter Becca Stein (Kingston, NY) and sophomore outside hitter Michelle Hearns (Bedford Hills, NY) each contributed 15 kills.

The tournament concludes Saturday with six more matches.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

WNEC 3, Westfield State 1 (25-22, 23-25, 25-19, 25-14)
WNEC - Rachel Cervone (12 kills, 9 digs), Samantha Shomo (10 kills, 8 digs, 3 service aces), Katharina Boes (33 assists), Marci Egbert (8 digs).
Westfield State - Stephanie Bartkus (13 kills), Katie Kurty (22 digs), Alex Shaw (8 kills), April Gordon 4 blocks, 3 solo), Kelsey Leonard (4 blocks)

Western Connecticut 3, Newbury 0 (25-7, 25-16, 25-9)
Western Connecticut - Danielle Spangler (11 kills, 6 service aces with 5 in a row in the second game), Kelley Collins (17 assists), Sammie Hathaway (20 assists).
Newbury - Sara Hanna (3 kills), Tricia Corriveau (3 digs).

WNEC 3, Bay Path 0 (25-8, 25-8, 25-12)
WNEC - Jennifer Mears (5 kills), Rachel Cervone (4 kills), Katharina Boes (15 assists, 6 services ace with five in game one).
Bay Path - Ashley Provost (14 assists), Davi Chuong (10 digs).

Western Connecticut 3, Westfield State 2 (25-20, 25-27, 23-25, 25-13, 15-10)
Western Connecticut - Sammie Hathaway (season high 55 assists), Becca Stein (15 kills), Michelle Hearns (15 kills), Kelley Collins (31 digs).
Westfield State - Kerin DeGirolamo (22 digs), Stephanie Bartkus (13 kills), Alex Shaw (8 kills), April Gordon (4 blocks, 3 solo), Kelsey Leonard (4 blocks).

Team Records: Bay Path 0-2, Newbury 3-1, Western Connecticut 5-2, Western New England College 4-3, Westfield State 3-5.

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009

11:00 a.m.
Court 1 - WNEC vs. Newbury; Court 2 - Bay Path vs. Westfield State

1:30 p.m.
Court 1 - Newbury vs. Westfield State; Court 2 - Bay Path vs. Western Connecticut

4:00 p.m.
Court 1 - WNEC vs. Western Connecticut; Court 2 - Bay Path vs. Newbury