Volleyball qualifies for first ever ECAC New England bid
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Volleyball program has qualified for the ECAC New England Championships for the first time in school historyas announced by the ECAC offices this evening. The Trailblazers finished the regular season at 15-13 following a quarterfinal loss to Bridgewater State in the MASCAC playoffs.
In the quarterfinal contests on Wednesday, November 12, No. 2 Salve Regina University (20-10) will host No. 7 Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (15-13), while the third seed Worcester State University (23-9) will face No. 6 University of St. Joseph (CT) (16-7) at St. Joseph. No. 4 Endicott College (15-15) will play host to No. 5 University of Southern Maine (18-13), while top-seeded Western New England will receive a bye.
The first-round winners and No. 1 seed Western New England will advance to the semifinals on Saturday, November 15th hosted by Western New England. The winner of Salve Regina/MCLA will face the winner of Worcester State/St. Joseph's in one semifinal and the winner of Endicott/Southern Maine will face Western New England in the other semifinal. The semifinal winners will meet on Sunday, November 16 for the championship at the same site.
The Trailblazers are under the direction of Amanda Beckwith. The program tied the school record for victories in a season with 15, and will be in search of their first ever playoff victory.
"I am excited to be a part of the ECAC tournament for the first time. Our roster is made up of talented players who set a goal earlier this season to qualify for the ECAC and we did it for the first time in school history," Beckwith commented about the bid.
MCLA is led by a balanced attack that features many young players. A pair of sophomores in Rachel Mills and Samantha Anderson are the top hitters for the Trailblazers. Newcomers Margaret Allen and Brianne O'Rourke have been tough at times at the net. Courtney Parent is the team's leading setter while Allie Chang and Jackie Paluilis anchor the defense.
*First Round – Wednesday, November 12
No. 1 Western New England Receives a Bye
No. 7 MCLA (15-13) vs. No. 2 Salve Regina (20-10)
No. 3 Worcester State (23-9) at No. 6 St. Joseph (16-7)
No. 5 Southern Maine (18-13) at No. 4 Endicott (15-15)
*Semifinals – Saturday, November 15 at Western New England
No. 1 Western New England vs. winner of No. 4 Endicott/No. 5 Southern Maine winner,
No. 2 Salve Regina/No. 7 MCLA winner vs. No. 3 Worcester State/No. 6 St. Joseph's winner
*Championship – Saturday, November 15 at Western New England
Two Semifinal Winners
*All times TBA