Wildcats Conclude Gordon Invitational Falling 0-3 for the Weekend

WENHAM, Mass.-Hosting their first tournament of the young 2011 season, the Fighting Scots completed a three-match sweep with wins over St. Joseph's (Conn.), Simmons, and Bay Path to improve to an unbeaten 4-0 overall. Bay Path fell to Simmons 3-0 and was able to take the first games of each match against NECC foe Newbury and host Gordon falling 3-1 to both schools.

Senior middle hitter Nadine Harkless (Westfield, Mass.) led the way for the Wildcats. Harkless hit .328 for the day averaging 2.78 kills per game (25 kills), 3.33 digs per game (30 per game), 0.78 blocks per game (7 blocks) including five block solos and tallying 33 points.

In the final match of the day, Bay Path jumped out to an early lead with a 25-22. The Gordon Scots were once again faced with having to rally from an early deficit. And rally they did as Claudia Amado (Glastonbury, Conn.) delivered 14 kills, Alex Nawoichick (Jr./Hamilton, Mass.) 11 kills, and Andrea Amado (Glastonbury, Conn.) dished 47 assists in lifting Gordon to the 3-1 win (22-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-22).

Despite the loss, Bay Path put up some big numbers in defense with 50 digs for the match. Harkless notched a sizzling .565 attack percentage with a double double of 14 kills and 19 digs.  She also chipped in 2 block solos and one block assist. A pair of freshman outside hitters' Ashley Raferty (Lenox Dale, Mass.) and Kacie Bayreuther (East Lyme, Conn.) each chipped in 10 digs apiece.

Junior setter Ashley Provost (Ludlow, Mass.) added 21 assists and 6 digs for the match and averaged 4.89 assists for the day.  Senior outside hitter Vanessa Chaplin (Attleboro, Mass.) rounded out the defense with five digs and one block assist.

The women return to action on Wednesday, September 7 as they travel to face non-conference St. Joseph (Conn.) at 7:00 p.m.