Wildcats Clip Falcons Wings in 3-0 Home Victory

HOLYOKE, Mass.— Senior middle hitter  Nadine Harkless (Westfield, Mass.) and junior setter Ashley Provost (Ludlow, Mass.) led the Wildcats in a 3-0 victory tonight over the Falcons of Albertus Magnus in their first home match of the 2011 season. In NCAA DIII regional volleyball action, the Wildcats notched their first home stand win in over five years sweeping the Falcons 25-23, 25-15 and 26-24.

Harkless led all hitters with a .353 attack percentage shutting down the Falcons with 16 kills and 12 digs. Provost who tallied a25 assists was also extremely effective for the Wildcats behind the backline with 6 service aces.

Bay Path's freshman outside hitter Allie Esquivel (Irving, Tex.) finished the match with a .231 hitting percentage and notching double figures in digs with eleven.  Sophomore right side hitter Kate Bartels (Dalton, Mass.) put up double figures defensively with ten digs.

The Wildcats took control of the first game in the final ten points without looking back.  In the second set hey were able to intimidate the Falcons into numerous errors never giving up the lead with the match high .294 team attack percentage. In the final game of the match, Bay Path had to regain control after giving up an eight point lead. They took the set to the final two points at 26 off kill by Harkless and finishing the job with freshman Kacie Bayreuther (East Lyme, Conn.) nailing a service ace.

" Tonight was the first time this season they played as a team and maintained their intensity the entire three games, " said second year head coach Natalie Stothart. "Bay Path was able to stay up and not lose their composure."

Albertus Magnus was led by senior middle hitter Elizabeth Williams (West Haven, Conn.) with ten kills and eight digs. Defensively, junior Libero Krista LaBissoniere (Meriden, Conn.) topped all players with a match high 13 digs.

Bayreuther and senior outside hitter Vanessa Chaplin (Attleboro, Mass.) combined for 17 digs. The Wildcats played smart and had a great passing game including only tallying six reception errors to the Falcons' 15 reception errors.

Bay Path is now 3-5 overall while Albertus Magnus falls to 0-5 overall. The Wildcats will face travel to face Bard and Manhattanville on Saturday, September 17^th beginning at a 2:00 p.m. start.