Posted: Nov 10, 2012
Golden Bears Capture First ECAC New England Championship
WALTHAM, Mass. –Tournament MVP Inna Sergeychik recorded eight kills and seven digs but more importantly spearheaded a terrific Western New England blocking plan as the Golden Bears upset top-seeded Brandeis, 25-16, 17-25, 25-17, 25-21, to capture the 2012 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England women's volleyball championship on Saturday. The second-seeded Golden Bears also defeated Keene State 25-21, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, in today's semifinals to end the season with a 25-7 record, including a 10-4 mark in true road matches, and the program's first-ever postseason title of any kind.
“Winning the ECAC Championship is an exciting way to finish a great season. I'm so proud of each and every player on our team, and especially proud of our seniors who get to end their career with a win,” Western New England second-year coach Bret Stothart said. “We all will certainly enjoy this feeling of accomplishment, while at the same time I am already excited for next season knowing we are capable of achieving so much.”
Sergeychik had seven blocks and junior Tyler Singh posted a match-best eight as Western New England had 12 team blocks to contribute to Brandeis' paltry .056 hitting percentage. Singh added a WNE-high 10 kills and hit .214 to lead the offense.
The 21-14 Judges, who compete in the University Athletic Association that has produced 11 NCAA Division III champions, were led by Liz Hood with 13 kills and Si-Si Hensley had 11. Yael Einhorn contributed 33 assists.
On the Western New England side, senior co-captain Heather Mears also pumped in 33 assists to give her 77 for the day--pushing her season total past the 1,000 milestone (1.055). Defensively, sophomore Grace Kucharski had 19 digs to lead all players and senior co-captain Jennifer Mears, 10.
Elsie Bernaiche led Brandeis with 17 digs, followed by Hensley with 13 and Amaris Brown, 11.
Earlier in the day, freshman Emily McGran sparked the WNE offense with 11 kills and a .241 attack percentage to go along with seven digs against Keene State. Senior Devyn Frank added 10 put-downs and hit .269, and Sergeychik made nine kills, hit .400 and 12 digs. Kucharski dug 18 balls.
Sammy Dormio was solid for the Owls with team highs of 16 kills and 16 digs. Angela Silveri contributed 12 kills, Alexis Michal matched Heather Mears with 44 assists, and Kaitlin Boyer came off the KSC bench to add 15 digs.
The Golden Bears led for most of the match that had only two lead changes (in the fourth set) and 13 ties.
Brandeis downed Salve Regina 25-17, 25-23, 25-20 in the other semifinal match to earn the right to face Western New England for the ECAC crown.
“Winning the ECAC Championship is an exciting way to finish a great season. I'm so proud of each and every player on our team, and especially proud of our seniors who get to end their career with a win,” Western New England second-year coach Bret Stothart said. “We all will certainly enjoy this feeling of accomplishment, while at the same time I am already excited for next season knowing we are capable of achieving so much.”
Sergeychik had seven blocks and junior Tyler Singh posted a match-best eight as Western New England had 12 team blocks to contribute to Brandeis' paltry .056 hitting percentage. Singh added a WNE-high 10 kills and hit .214 to lead the offense.
The 21-14 Judges, who compete in the University Athletic Association that has produced 11 NCAA Division III champions, were led by Liz Hood with 13 kills and Si-Si Hensley had 11. Yael Einhorn contributed 33 assists.
On the Western New England side, senior co-captain Heather Mears also pumped in 33 assists to give her 77 for the day--pushing her season total past the 1,000 milestone (1.055). Defensively, sophomore Grace Kucharski had 19 digs to lead all players and senior co-captain Jennifer Mears, 10.
Elsie Bernaiche led Brandeis with 17 digs, followed by Hensley with 13 and Amaris Brown, 11.
Earlier in the day, freshman Emily McGran sparked the WNE offense with 11 kills and a .241 attack percentage to go along with seven digs against Keene State. Senior Devyn Frank added 10 put-downs and hit .269, and Sergeychik made nine kills, hit .400 and 12 digs. Kucharski dug 18 balls.
Sammy Dormio was solid for the Owls with team highs of 16 kills and 16 digs. Angela Silveri contributed 12 kills, Alexis Michal matched Heather Mears with 44 assists, and Kaitlin Boyer came off the KSC bench to add 15 digs.
The Golden Bears led for most of the match that had only two lead changes (in the fourth set) and 13 ties.
Brandeis downed Salve Regina 25-17, 25-23, 25-20 in the other semifinal match to earn the right to face Western New England for the ECAC crown.
