Westfield, Mass.— With back-to-back MASCAC volleyball championships, Worcester State has been selected to claim their third straight as voted on by the eight coaches from around the league.

 

The Lancers collected three of the first place votes for 44 points.The team went 7-0 during MASCAC play last season.  All-Conference middle blocker Stephanie Chapin is back for the squad. Last season, she  collected 249 kills with a .348 hitting percentage, 57 total blocks, including 18 solo, 77 digs and 29 service aces.

 

Grabbing four of the first place votes for 43 points is Framingham State. The Rams were 4-3 during league action last season. Back for the Rams is reigning MASCAC Rookie of the Year Brandee Thomas. The All-Conference First Team outside hitter led the league in kills (358) and kills per set (3.25) with a .212 hitting percentage. She also finished with 74 digs and 16 total blocks during her freshman campaign.

 

Sitting in the third spot with 37 points and the final first place vote is Westfield State. The Owls were 5-2 during conference action. Last season, defensive specialist Jess Haradon had 4.42 digs per set and 389 total digs which were second and third best in the conference. She also collected 51 assists and 16 services aces on her way to All-Conference honors.

 

Salem State comes in fourth with 35 points. The Vikings were 5-2 during the conference slate last season. Returning for the team is right side Morgan Adams, a 2018 All-Conference honoree. During her junior season, she had 516 assists, 138 digs, 43 service aces, 14 blocks and 47 kills for the team.

 

Up next in fifth is Bridgewater State. The Bears had a 4-3 mark in conference action in 2018. Setter/right side Casey Holmes finished with 273 assists, 103 digs and 18 service aces for the team last season.

 

MCLA is in the sixth spot with 19 points. The Trailblazers earned two MASCAC wins last season. Setter Tessa Sestito tallied 397 assists, 258 digs, 39 service aces and 33 kills. 

 

Rounding out the 2019 poll is Fitchburg State in seventh and Massachusetts Maritime in eighth. The Falcons had 11 points in the poll. Setter/outside hitter Amy Coehlo finished with 148 assists, 93 digs and 14 service aces.The Buccaneers talled nine points and one MASCAC win last season. Returning is libero Christina Ruggeri. She collected 311 digs, 30 service aces and 12 assist during the 2018 season.

     

The volleyball season gets underway this weekend with five teams in non-conference action. 

 

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

 

1. Worcester State             (3)   44 points

2. Framingham State         (4)   43 points

3. Westfield State              (1)   37 points

4. Salem State                         35 points

5. Bridgewater State                26 points

6. MCLA                                  19 points

7. Fitchburg State                    11 points

8. Massachusetts Maritime         9 points