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WESTFIELD – Tournament MVP Rachel Ryan (Westboro) had a game-high 17 kills to lead Westfield State to a 3-1 victory (25-15, 21-25, 25-16, 25-21) over Bridgewater State in the Massachusetts State College Athletics Conference (MASCAC) women’s volleyball tournament championship game on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Westfield, 19-15 overall, earns a bid to its first NCAA Division III tournament. The Owls also won the MASCAC regular season championship with a 6-0 record.
Westfield, which defeated Bridgewater, 3-0, on Oct. 24 and Oct. 27, trailed 17-12 in the fourth game. With senior Stephanie Bartkus serving, the Owls went on a decisive 11-0 run to take a 23-17 lead. Ryan, a junior outside hitter, had five kills during the key scoring spurt.
Sophomore Alex Shaw finished with 12 kills for the Owls in 23 attack attempts for a fine .478 percentage. Kerin DeGirolamo racked up 43 assists and Katie Kurty contributed 24 digs. Bartkus had eight kills and 16 digs.
Sophomore Shelly DePina led Bridgewater (11-20 overall record) with 13 kills, followed by Julie Clerc (11) and Ashley Gelinas (10). Natalie Cohen had 37 assists and Brianne Cobb contributed 21 digs.
Westfield celebrates after earning its first NCAA Tournament bid.