Westfield State Athletics

Box Score

BRIDGEWATER - The Westfield State College volleyball team captured the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) regular season title as the Owls downed host Bridgewater State College, 3-0, in the conference finale for both teams.

Westfield completes the regular season with a record of 17-15, including a 6-0 mark in MASCAC play. With the loss, Bridgewater falls to 7-18 overall and 5-1 in the conference. The Owls will be the top seed and host for the MASCAC Tournament which will take place at Westfield on Saturday, November 7. Second seeded Bridgewater will face No. 3 seed Worcester State in the semifinals, while Westfield's opponent has yet to be determined.

Westfield won the first set, 25-14, and then battled to a tough 26-24 victory in set No. 2. The Owls completed the sweep of the match with a 25-17 win in the third set. 

It is Westfield's third straight MASCAC regular season championship. The Owls won the title outright this year and in 2007 and shared the conference crown with Bridgewater in 2008.

"The key to the victory was efficient hitting without errors," said Westfield State head coach Fred Glanville. "My team came ready to play and played well. We also had a lot of blocks."

The Owls had 37 kills in three games with only nine errors and a .269 attack percentage.

Senior outside hitter Stephanie Bartkus (North Merrick, NY) led Westfield with 15 kills and just two errors, followed by Rachel Ryan (8 kills, two errors). Alex Shaw had six kills and no errors.

Senior libero Katie Kurty (Ludlow, MA) recorded 13 digs. Freshman middle hitter Ally Rannikko (Easthampton, MA) contributed eight blocks, while sophomore setter Kerin DeGirolarmo (North Attleboro, MA) added 33 assists.

The Bears had some good performances of their own in the losing effort. Sophomore middle hitter Shelly DePina (New Bedford, MA) led the Bears with twelve kills and five solo blocks followed by Julie Clerc (Acushnet, MA) with 11 kills. Junior setter Natalie Cohen (Marstons Mills, MA) contributed 27 assists. The lone senior for the Bears, Brianne Cobb (New Bedford, MA), had 20 digs on Senior Night.

Westfield is idle until it hosts the conference tournament Nov. 7. The Bears will host their annual Halloween Classic this Friday and Saturday. Bridgewater will take on Framingham State and Plymouth State University on Friday, followed by matches against Worcester State and Mass. Maritime Academy on Saturday.