Wildcats Open season with a 3-1 win over Pine Manor

Bay Path University Opens 2014 Campaign with a win over Pine Manor College 3-1

 CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- After dropping the first set of the day to visiting Bay Path College, 25-21, Pine Manor College women's volleyball rallied for a 25-16 victory in set two but were unable to take another set, dropping narrow 25-20 and 25-23 decision in a loss to the Wildcats. In the second match of the day, Pratt Institute swept the Gators in three sets, taking set victories of 25-19; 25-19; and 25-13 to pick up their second victory of the afternoon.

 Following the season opening tri-match for all three schools, Pine Manor sits at 0-2 while Bay Path is an even 1-1 and Pratt is 2-0, as they also defeat Bay Path 3-0 in the second match of the day.

 Bay Path 3, Pine Manor 1

 Bay Path junior middle hitter Elizabeth Haylette (Terryville, Conn.) and freshman Lauren Vallee (Bristol, Conn.) were the story in the first match as the pair of Connecticut natives totaled 14 and 12 kills respectively to help lead the Wildcats to their first win of the season. Vallee put down multiple emphatic kills to close out the victory in the fourth set.

 Senior libero Kacie Bayreuther (East Lyme, Conn.) tied for match-high honors with 10 digs to lead the Bay Path defense. Susan Le (Lowell, Mass.) also recorded ten kills for the Gators.

 Senior Natasia Franklin (Windsor, Conn.) was the only Gator to finish with double-digits kills, putting down 11. First-year classmates Mary Owen (Houston, Texas) and Rachael Julien (Brockton, Mass.) had eight and six kills in their collegiate debuts while Ashley Whiteshield (Seward, Alaska) added 17 assists in what was also her first collegiate match.

All three team will return to action on Thursday evening. The Gators will  take on local rival Mount Ida College at 6:00 PM in Newton.

Meanwhile, Pratt will host King's (NY) at 7:30 PM and Bay Path will travel to St. Joseph (Conn.) for a 7:00 PM start.

Story courtesy of Pine Manor Sports Information- Miles Roberts