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Coach Tackmann to attend tryout for USA Olympic Team
Official Press Release
PAXTON, Mass.-- Anna Maria College women’s volleyball Head Coach Elysce Tackmann will be attending a tryout for the U.S. National Women’s Volleyball Team held February 19th -21st at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
This will be USA Volleyball’s largest-ever tryout with a total of 80 colleges being represented among the participants. In all, 47 middle blockers, 42 outside hitters, 40 liberos, 30 setters and 15 opposites will attend, making for a total of 174 athletes that are expected to participate.
A native from Maui, Hawaii, Coach Tackmann was a two-year standout at East Providence Senior High School (East Providence, RI), where she was the starting setter for the women’s volleyball team. Coach Tackmann led the team to two undefeated seasons (52-0) and two Division I State Championships. In doing so, Tackmann earned First Team All-State, All-Division, and All-Tournament Team selections in 2003.
In 2003, she began her collegiate career on the women’s volleyball team at Bryant University (Smithfield, RI). That season, Bryant advanced all the way to the NCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball Sweet-Sixteen. From 2003-2005 Tackmann and the Bulldogs went undefeated, winning 37-consecutive matches in the Northeast-10 Conference. They became the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament Champions all three seasons and also grabbed the regular season championship in both 2003 and 2004. As a senior, Coach Tackmann was selected as the recipient of the Bryant University Bulldog Award, given to a student athlete who exemplifies leadership on and off the court.
Coach Tackmann will be representing Bryant University as she attempts to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team at the position of libero. |
Langdeau earns NEWVA Honorable Mention
2009 NEWVA Senior Classic
PAXTON, Mass.-- Anna Maria College senior Brittany Langdeau (Wolcott, Conn.) received Honorable Mention for the 2009 New England Women’s Volleyball Association Senior Classic. Langdeau was one of nine players from The Commonwealth Coast Conference who earned recognition from NEWVA this year.
Langdeau was a Team Captain and starting libero for the AMCATS in her senior campaign, and helped lead the club to their most successful season in eight years. She finished her AMC career as the program’s all-time leader in digs with 854, and set the program mark for digs in a single season her junior year with 279. Some of her career highlights include a 33-dig performance versus Bay Path in 2008, a 27-dig performance versus Becker in 2008, and leading the AMCATS to 3-2 comeback victory over Regis this season, giving AMC their first conference win in eight seasons. |
Bonneau enjoys record-setting season
 Bonneau had an AMC record 215 assists
PAXTON, Mass.-- Despite her season being cut short due to a knee injury, Anna Maria College sophomore Alicia Bonneau (Worcester, Mass.) set four AMC program records in 2009, including career assists, assists in a season, assists per game in a season, and assists in a match.
Bonneau was the starting setter for the AMCATS this season and shattered the record for assist in a single season with 215. She broke Kelly Michaud’s previous record of 124 set in 2000. Bonneau achieved the feat in just 17 matches and 55 games, recording a program record 3.91 assists per game. Perhaps her best performance of the season came on September 15th versus Becker College when Alicia set the program record for assists in a match with a total of 26, surpassing Jacqueline Laham’s previous record of 24 set last season. Overall, Bonneau has now dished out an AMC career record 265 assists.
Bonneau helped the AMCATS to their most successful season since 2001, winning six matches. Anna Maria also captured their first conference victory since the ’01 season with a 3-2 win over Eastern Nazarene. The team has dramatically improved in the last two years under head coach Elysce Tackmann, and should enjopy increasing success over the next several years |
Mariners sail past AMCATS, 3-0
 Murphy had a team-high 8 kills Wednesday
Box Score
NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women’s volleyball team rallied for a 3-0 non-conference victory over Anna Maria College on Wednesday night at the Yarnall Athletic Center.
Mitchell (6-9 overall) won by final scores of 25-12, 25-14 and 25-18. The Mariners recorded 20 aces from behind the service stripe and got a team-high eight kills from senior Heather-Renae Powers (Niantic, Conn.). Freshman Shayna Diggs (Gales Ferry, Conn.) pitched in with seven kills while junior Jennifer Bordonaro (Winsted, Conn.) dished out a match-high 20 assists.
Anna Maria (6-20 overall) was led by freshman Leah Murphy (Wareham, Mass.), who finished with eight kills. Classmate Sandy Acosta (Lawrence, Mass.) chipped in with six kills while sophomore Nichole Robbie (Bellingham, Mass.) handed out nine assists.
In the first game, the Mariners jumped out to an early 6-1 advantage behind the serve of Bordonaro. Leading 13-7 later in the set, Mitchell put the game away thanks to the serve of sophomore Brittany Zaccaria (White Plains, N.Y.). She served for six straight points to increase the lead to 19-7, and the Mariners coasted to a 25-12 victory.
Sophomore Marie Connelly (Bronx, N.Y.) was the difference maker for the Mariners in the second game. After Mitchell sided out for an 11-10 lead, Connelly served for five straight points—including one of three aces on the night—to pump the lead to 16-10. Freshman Samantha Alevras-Tarbell (Livingston, N.J.) later made it 23-13 with a pair of aces, and senior Stephanie Davis (Ledyard, Conn.) provided the finishing touch with Mitchell’s seventh ace of the game to close it out by a 25-14 final.
Alevras-Tarbell, who finished with a career-high eight aces, served up four winners in the final set alone. The Mariners won eight points on her serve in the 25-18 win, including the final two points that sealed the victory.
Mitchell wraps up the regular season at home on Saturday, October 31 with a tri-match against Becker College (11 a.m.) and Newbury College (3 p.m.). Anna Maria closes the regular season on Saturday with a doubleheader against Gordon College and the University of New England.
Release Courtesy of Mitchell Sports Information
Picture Courtesy of David Sheridan for AMC Sports Information |
Lynx defeat AMCATS on Senior Day, 3-0
 Murphy had a team-high 6 kills to go with 4 blocks
PAXTON, Mass.-- The Lesley University women’s volleyball team defeated the Anna Maria AMCATS, 3-0, in a non-conference matchup Thursday night during Senior Night at The Fuller Activities Center. The Lynx improve to 9-11 (2-1 NECC) while the AMCATS fall to 6-15 (1-7 TCCC).
Anna Maria celebrated the final home game for seniors Allie Freeman (Meriden, Conn.), Sharika Walcott (Somerville, Mass.), Ashley Scionti (Prospect, Conn.) and Brittany Landeau (Wolcott, Conn.). Freeman, a History major, was a two-year varsity member who has played in 73 sets and 31 matches as a setter and right side. Walcott, a Psychology major, was a three-year varsity member playing in 44 sets and 24 matches as a middle hitter. Scionti, a Social Work major, was a four-year varsity member, has recorded 198 digs and 39 aces in her career as right side and defense specialist. Langdeau, an Art Therapy major, was a four-year starter who holds the Anna Maria records for both career digs (838) and digs in a season (279).
Lesley took a quick 5-0 lead early in the first set, however, the AMCATS battled back to even the score at 10 apiece, receiving two kills from Leah Murphy (Wareham, Mass.) and an ace from senior Brittany Langdeau. The Lynx responded with a 12-0 run en route to a 25-19 victory. Leah Murphy added two blocks later in the framefor AMC, while Kaitlyn Wechsler (Merrick, N.Y.), Kayla Henry (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), Meaghan Chadwick (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Lindsey Marek (Killingworth, Conn.) added a kill apiece for the Lesley.
In the second frame, Lesley jumped out to a 9-3 lead, receiving kills from Lindsey Marek and Kaitlyn Wechsler, while receiving an ace from Kaitlyn Miller (Leesport, Pa.). The Links didn’t look back, finishing with a 25-14 victory. Freshman Megan Ortwein (Shanghai, China) added two kills for the visitors, while Sandy Acosta (Lawrence, Mass.) added a block and Marie Barral (Worcester, Mass.) added a kill from the AMCATS.
The AMCATS hung tough in the third set, but the Lynx once again prevailed with a 25-23 victory, taking the match three sets to none. Anna Maria used a block and a kill from Leah Murphy and three kills and a block from Sandy Acosta to build a 21-17 lead. Lesley pulled the score to 23-20, and quickly evened the set at 23 apiece following a Megan Ortwein kill, a Kaitlyn Wechsler kill, followed by another Wechsler block. Kaitlyn Miller served an ace for the next point, and the Lynx finished the victory on a net violation, ending a hard-fought third set.
Kaitlyn Wechsler (10 kills, 9 digs, 5 blocks), Lindsey Marek (8 kills, 6 digs, 5 blocks) and Megan Ortwein (7 kills, 6 digs) starred for Lesley while Brittany Landeau (15 digs, ace), Sandy Acosta (3 kills, 5 blocks, 4 assits), Leah Murphy (6 Kills, 4 blocks, 2 assits) and Marie Barrel (4 kills, 16 digs) played well for Anna Maria.
Anna Maria travels to St. Lawrence in a non-TCCC match October 23rd, at 6:00 p.m., while Lesley travels to Daniel Webster October 24th, at 11:00 a.m.
Release Courtesy of Jeffrey S. Lander
Picture Courtesy of David Sheridan |
Gulls take three-straight from AMCATS
 Acosta had a team-high 7 kills Tuesday
PAXTON, Mass.-- The Endicott College women’s volleyball team defeated Anna Maria College in straight sets, 3-0, during a The Commonwealth Coast Conference matchup at The Fuller Activities Center on Tuesday night. The win breaks a four-game losing skid for the Gulls, who improve to 15-12 overall and 6-1 in the TCCC. With the loss, the AMCATS drop to 6-14 on the season, including 1-7 in the TCCC.
The AMCATS battled the Gulls to a 6-5 score in the opening set, with Endicott holding the one-point advantage. From there, the Gulls went on a 12-2 run, building a commanding 18-7 lead and eventually taking the set 25-12. Endicott sophomore Elyse Barbour played especially well during the first frame, collecting five kills.
With the score knotted at 3-all in the second set, the Gulls scored six unanswered points, including two more kills from Barbour, to grab a 9-3 lead. The AMCATS battled back with a 6-2 run of their own, closing the gap to 11-9. Once again, EC was able to find another gear, earning 14 of the next 19 points to take the set 25-14.
In the final set, EC built another early lead at 7-3. The AMCATS did their best to claw their way back to within three points, trailing 12-9. However, the Gulls were too much, taking 13 of the final 17 points to win the set 25-13, and take the match three games to none.
Elyse Barbour stood out for the Gulls during the two sets in which she participated, collecting 12 digs on 16 attempts while adding two blocks. Junior Ally Murphy (Gilford, N.H.) was also impressive during a two set stint, dishing out 19 assists in addition to five digs and three aces. Freshman Ashley Norley (Sudbury, Mass.) led all players with 16 digs, while freshman Elizabeth Duggan (Kingstown, R.I.) had nine digs, two kills, and two blocks in the final set alone.
Freshman Sandy Acosta (Lawrence, Mass.) was the star of the match for the AMCATS, filling the stat sheet with seven kills, two blocks, two assists, and an ace. Freshman Leah Murphy (Wareham, Mass.) also played well, collecting six kills and two blocks, while sophomore Marie Barral (Worcester, Mass.) and senior Brittany Langdeau (Wolcott, Conn.) chipped in with 13 and 12 digs, respectively.
Endicott will return home to face Tufts University on Wednesday at 7:00 pm, while Anna Maria returns to the court on Thursday to take on Lesley University at 7:30 pm during “Senior Night” at The Fuller Activities Center.
Picture Courtesy of David Sheridan for AMC Sports Information |
AMCATS fall in straight-sets on the road
 Langdeau had a match-high 19 digs
NEWPORT, R.I. – Sophomore Julianne Barry (Randolph, Mass.) tallied 16 kills (.519 hitting pct.) and five solo blocks to lead Salve Regina University to a 3-0 win over Anna Maria College in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) volleyball action Wednesday night at Rodgers Recreation Center.
The Seahawks recorded a .354 hitting percentage for the match and improved to 8-14 (4-1 TCCC) with the win. Anna Maria dropped its third-straight decision to fall to 6-13 (1-6 TCCC).
The Seahawks captured the first game, 25-11, as they recorded a .419 hitting percentage. They went on to win game two, 25-13, and game three, 25-10.
Seniors Deanna Salter (Westwood, Mass.) and Natalie Rubenoff (New Hartford, Conn.) each recorded eight kills for the Seahawks while sophomore Jess Meyer (Seymour, Conn.) tallied a match-high 23 assists. Freshman Megan Clancy (Chelmsford, Mass.) notched a team-high 16 digs.
For the AMCATS, freshman Leah Murphy (Wareham, Mass.) posted five kills, sophomore Nicole Robbie (Bellingham, Mass.) posted nine assists, and senior Brittany Langdeau (Wolcott, Conn.) notched a match-high 19 digs.
“This was a great overall team effort. Everyone played and contributed to this win,” said Salve Regina head coach Jen Maxwell. “We did a nice job taking care of the ball, setting the pace, and staying consistent. JB and Deana (Salter) played fantastic matches.
The Seahawks return to action on Saturday when they travel to the University of New England for a tri-match with the Nor’easters and Western New England. Anna Maria hosts Endicott on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.
Release Courtesy of Salve Regina Sports Information |
AMCATS drop two in tri-match
Framingham, Mass. — The Framingham State College volleyball team picked up two wins at home today as they defeated the Anna Maria College Amcats 3-0 and defeated the University of Maine Fort Kent 3-0 in a non-conference tri-match at FSC’s Athletic & Recreation Center. The Bengals defeated Anna Maria 3-0 in the other game. With the two wins, the Rams even their record at 10-10, while the Bengals improve to 6-4 with the split and the Amcats fall to 6-12 with the two losses.
In the first match of the day, the Rams won in three games by scores of 25-10, 25-15 and 25-12. Junior outside hitter Ashley Trudeau (Rockland, Mass.) led the Rams with a game-high 18 kills and 18 digs. Classmate Lauren Kasischke (Methuen, Mass.) chipped in eight kills, while fellow junior Jessi Goode (Marston Mills, Mass.) added a game-high 20 digs. Freshman Jackie Friel (Centerville, Mass.) had a solid game with six kills and three blocks.
Fort Kent won the day’s second match 3-0 over Anna Maria. The Bengals were down 20-15 in the opening set and came all the back to win the set 27-25 and then won the final two sets by identical scores of 25-19. Senior middle hitter Ashley Ames (Dexter, NH) led the Bengals with nine kills, while sophomore setter Amber Garrison (Oroville, CA) picked up a game-high 20 assists.
The Rams had a sloppy start to the game against Fort Kent but were able to win the first set 25-21, before easily winning the final two games 25-17 and 25-11.
The Rams return to action on Tuesday as they travel to UMass Boston for a 6 p.m. match, while Anna Maria travels to Salve Regina on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Bengals return to action on Saturday, October 24th as they participate in Sunrise Conference Pool Play.
Release Courtesy of Framingham State Sports Information |
AMCATS claw there way back for 3-2 win
 Murphy led AMC with 12 kills and 6 blocks
PAXTON, Mass.-- The Anna Maria AMCATS won their first conference victory since 2001, 3-2 against the Eastern Nazarene Lions in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference Match, during the Dig Pink promotion in the Fuller Center Tuesday night. Anna Maria was down 2-0 before winning three consecutive sets en-route to the AMCATS first TCCC victory in eight years. The win improves Anna Maria to 6-10 (1-5 TCCC) while Eastern Nazarene falls to 3-16 (1-5 TCCC).
The Lions quickly jumped out to a 9-3 advantage in the first match, receiving two kills from junior Amber Burns (Fall River, Mass.) and a block from senior Laura Cline (Fitchburg, Mass.). The AMCATS clawed back to cut the deficit to 19-18, led by Leah Murphy’s (Wareham, Mass.) three blocks, two kills and an ace. Eastern Nazarene responded with a 5-0 run of their own to take a 24-18 lead and force a match-point. Marrie Barral (Worcester, Mass.), Murphy and the AMCATS would not go quietly, as they responded with four-consecutive points, with Barral and Murphy each adding a kill. The Lions put an end to the run and the match on a Kaitlyn Yoder (Smithsburg, MD.) kill to take the match 25-22. In addition to Burns’ two kills, Bethany Greenfield (Parsippany, NJ) added two aces for the Lions.
In the second match, Anna Maria led 10-8 on contributions from Leah Murphy and Sandy Acosta (Lawrence, Mass.). Murphy added two kills and a block and Acosta added a kill during the AMCATS early lead. Eastern Nazarene responded in a big way by going on a 10-0 run, eventually taking the set 25-13. Laura Cline and Bethany Greenfield each added an ace and while Amber Burns added two kills during the Lions’ run.
In the third frame, Anna Maria led 10-8 again, however this time, they would not cede the set. The match was hard fought, with Eastern Nazarene holding a 23-18 lead late in the game. With the AMCATS’ back against the wall, Anna Maria responded with a 7-0 run to take the set 25-23. Leah Murphy continued her outstanding play, adding three more kills, a block and an ace while Nichole Robbie (Bellingham, Mass), added an ace and Sandy Acosta added a kill. Laura Cline added two aces and Amber Burns added four kills for the visitors.
Anna Maria kept the momentum going from the previous set, taking an early 4-3 lead in the fourth frame. The AMCATS never relinquished the lead en route to a 25-19 victory. Sandy Acosta sealed the fourth match victory with a decisive kill, while also adding two blocks. The kill sent the crowd into a fervent uproar, vaulting the AMCATS into the fifth set, seeking their first conference victory since 2001.
In a tie-breaking fifth set to 15, Anna Maria trailed 7-4. A Leah Murphy kill brought the AMCATS back to 7-5, before the Lions won the next two out of three points, increasing the advantage to 9-6. Freshman Jordan Hobson (Chester, VA.) then added an ace to stretch the lead to 10-6. Once again with their backs against the wall, Anna Maria went on a 6-0 run propelled by Sandy Acosta (kill, block) and Nichole Robbie (kill). With the score standing at 12-10, the Lions won the next point, however, it was the last one they would capture in the game. Spurred on by the Fuller Center crowd, Anna Maria finished on a 3-0 run, capped-off by Alicia Bonneau’s (Worcester, Mass) ace and Acosta’s booming block to seal the deal on a storybook ending to a great event.
The AMCATS were led by Leah Murphy (12 kills, 6 blocks, 3 aces), Alicia Bonneau (1 kill, 10 digs, 21 assists, 3 aces), Nichole Robbie (5 kills, 17 digs, 3 aces), Sandy Acosta (7 kills, 4 digs, 4 blocks) and Brittany Landeau (Wolcott, Conn.)(17 digs, 1 assist). The Lions stars were Amber Burns (13 kills, 8 digs, 3 blocks), Bethany Greenfield (17 digs, 1 block, 27 assists,3 aces) and Laura Cline (7 kills, 1 block, 5 aces).
Anna Maria travels to Framingham State October 10th at 12:00 p.m., while Eastern Nazarene travels to Pine Manor October 8th at 7:00 p.m.
Release Courtesy of Jeffrey S. Lander for AMC Sports Information |
Dig Pink Event
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Support the cure for Breast Cancer and show AMCAT pride at the October 6th Volleyball game against Eastern Nazarene.
Tuesday, October 6th
7:00 p.m.
Fuller Activities Center
Help the Volleyball Team reach it’s goal of $500 to benefit the Side-Out Foundation.
Buy 50/50 raffle tickets at lunch from the Volleyball team or at the door on game night. Half of the proceeds will go to the Side-Out Foundation and the other half will be a grand price giveaway on Thursday night’s event (must be present to win).
Don’t have anything pink to wear for the game? Purchase a Dig Pink shirt for $10.
For every $1.00 donation, you will receive a Live Strong braclet.
Thanks for our sponsors:
SGA (Student Government Association)
Allen’s Uniforms
Asics
For questions about this event or to buy your raffle tickets, contact Elysce Tackmann at etackmann@annamaria.edu or 508-849-3297.
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What is Dig Pink?
Dig Pink is a National Breast Cancer awareness rally that is taking place throughout the month of October 2009. High Schools and Colleges are hosting Dig Pink matches all across the country to help educate and raise funds to help fight breast cancer. Wear something PINK and show your support!!!
The Side-Out Foundation Mission
The Side-Out Foundation (Side-Out) was established in 2004 by a group of individuals drawn together by their love of volleyball, but who also share a similar passion to be a part of the war against breast cancer. Side-Out’s mission is to raise money for the war against breast cancer through the recreational activity of volleyball.
The Side-Out Foundation is a Virginia based 501 (c)3 Non-Profit organization with a serving Board of Directors and advisors from the healthcare sector to provide oversight and guidance regarding the strategic direction and recommended allocation of donations and grants.
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Click here to make your donation to help find a cure for breast cancer. |
AMCATS drop two in tri-match
 Acosta had 7 kills and 3 blks versus WPI
Game 1 Box / Game 2 Box
PAXTON, Mass.-- The WPI women’s volleyball were victorious in straight sets versus both Anna Maria College and Daniel Webster College in a Division III Tri-Match held at The Fuller Activities Center on Friday evening. Daniel Webster split, earning a win over AMC, while the AMCATS went 0-2 on the day. The wins improved the Engineers record to 14-2 overall. The Eagles moved to 3-3 with the split, while the losses drop the AMCATS to 5-7 on the season.
In the opening match of the day, WPI defeated Anna Maria in straight sets 3-0. The Engineers jumped out to an early 14-4 lead, only to see the AMCATS battle back to close the gap to 19-13. WPI regrouped to go on a 6-1 run to close out the set, 25-14.
The second set was a back-and-forth affair early on, with WPI holding a slim 9-8 advantage. The Engineers then went on an 11-2 run to take a 20-10 lead and held on to take the set 25-15.
The third set saw WPI jump to a 14-3 lead out of the gate. AMC fought back with a 9-2 run to get within four, trailing 16-12. Once again, the Engineers were up to the challenge, winning nine of the next 13 points for a 25-16 victory.
Bailey Sarber (Westerly, R.I.) (11 kills, 6 digs), Becca Holmberg (Madison, Conn.) (7 kills, 7 digs), and Joan Pormbo (Jim Thorpe, Pa.) stood out for the Engineers while Sandy Acosta (Lawrence, Mass.) (7 kills, 3 digs), Brittany Langdeau (Wolcott, Conn.) (12 digs), and Alicia Bonneau (Worcester, Mass.) (12 assists) played well for the AMCATS.
In game two, the Engineers were victorious in straight sets once again, defeating Daniel Webster 3-0. The first set was evenly matched as both teams battled to a 19-all tie. With WPI leading 24-22, freshman Belinda Nwagbara (Santa Rosa, Calif.) gave the Engineers the set with a strong kill, 25-22.
The second set was as evenly matched as the first early on with the score knotted at 12. From there, WPI took control by winning 13 of the next 18 points to earn the 25-17 win.
WPI completed the sweep by taking the third set 25-14.
Holberg (4 kills, 10 digs), Sarber (17 kills, 8 digs), and Porambo (15 digs, 11 assists) once again paced the Engineers, while Kristina Rieger (Concord, N.H.) (5 kills, 8 digs), Brier Temple (Concord, N.H.) (5 kills, 3 digs), and Caitlyn DePierro (Billerica, Mass.) (4 digs, 24 assists) played well in a losing effort for the Eagles.
In the final match of the day, Daniel Webster defeated Anna Maria 3-0. The AMCATS made late charges in each of the three sets but the Eagles were able to hold 25-20, 25-12, and 25-19.
The Eagles were led by Dipierro (17 assists, 6 kills, 5 digs), Chelsey Crawford (Westfield, Mass.) (9 kills, 2 blocks), and Emily Travis (Somerset, Mass.) (4 digs, 3 kills, 3 blocks). Leah Murphy (Wareham, Mass.) (9 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces), Nichole Robbie (Bellingham, Mass.) (5 kills, 5 digs), and Acosta (4 kills, 2 aces) all performed well in the loss for the AMCATS.
The Engineers will play again on Tuesday when they travel to take on Wellesley. The Eagles won’t be in action until next Saturday when they take part in a tri-match at Elms. The AMCATS will return to the court on Wednesday versus Colby-Sawyer on the road in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference matchup. |
Cougars defeat AMCATS in straight sets, 3-0
 Robbie led the AMCATS with 4 kills
PAXTON, Mass.-- The Clark Cougars defeated the Anna Maria AMCATS in straight sets in a non-conference matchup Thursday night at the Fuller Activities Center. Clark improves to 3-5 (1-1 NEWMAC) while Anna Maria falls to 5-5 (0-2 TCCC).
Clark started fast out of the gate, taking an early 7-0 lead on three aces by sophomore Kristin McGinty (Vail, Col.). Clark was in cruise control the rest of the way, winning the set 25-12. McGinty (4 aces, 4 kills, and 1 block), was instrumental in the Cougars first set victory.
The beginning of the second match was a close contest, as Clark led by a slight 9-6 margin. Clark won the next 14 out of 17 points en route to a 25-10 victory. ToniMarie Illuzzi (Manorville, N.Y.) led Clark with a kill and an ace, while Sandy Acosta (Lawrence, Mass.) added a block and Leah Murphy (Wareham, Mass.) added a kill for Anna Maria.
The AMCATS fought hard in game three, however the Cougars attack was too much for the AMCATS to handle, falling 25-19. Anna Maria led 10-7 early on when Clark called a timeout. After the break, Clark scored three consecutive points, knotting the score at 10 apiece. The teams battled back and forth to 14 a piece, when Clark scored six unanswered points and eventually finished the sweep 25-19. Kristin McGinty (3 Kills) and ToniMarie Illuzi (Kill, Block) led the Cougars in the final frame, while Brittany Langdeau (Wolcott, Conn.) and Alicia Bonneau (Worcester, Mass.) showed grit and determination in their play.
Kristin McGinty (10 kills, 3 blocks, 3 aces), Nichole Lopez (Alameda, CA.)(17 assists), and Emily Visone (West Hempstead, NY.)(9 digs) were the stars for Clark, while Nichole Robbie (Bellingham, Mass.) (4 kills, 3 digs, 2 assists), Leah Murphy (3 kills, 6 assists), and Sandy Acosta (2 kills, 3 digs) paced Anna Maria.
Anna Maria will a host a tri-match starting at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow against Worcester Polytechnical Institute and Daniel Webster, while Clark hosts Springfield September 29th at 7:00 p.m.
Release Courtesy of Jeffrey S. Lander for AMC Sports Information |
Golden Bears take three-straight from AMCATS
 Langdeau had 13 digs Tuesday night
Box Score
PAXTON, Mass.-- The Western New England College women’s volleyball team defeated Anna Maria College, 3-0, in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference matchup at The Fuller Activities Center on Tuesday night. The Golden Bears are now 8-6 overall and 2-1 in the TCCC. The AMCATS dropped their third in a row and fall to 5-4 on the season and 0-2 in the conference.
The AMCATS were led by senior Brittany Langdeau (Wolcott, Conn.) who recorded 13 digs and two assists, while freshman Leah Murphy (Wareham, Mass.) added seven digs and an ace. Freshman Sandy Acosta (Lawrence, Mass.) also played well, contributing four kills, three assists, and a block.
The Golden Bears were paced by junior Samantha Shomo (Glenn Gardner, N.J.) who had seven kills, two digs, and two aces in the win. Junior Marci Egbert (Wayne, N.J.) also had an excellent night, recording 16 digs, seven aces, and one assist. Junior Katharina Boes also contributed to the victory, adding 13 assists and eight digs.
Anna Maria took an early 4-3 lead and hung tough for much of the first set. With the score 18-14, WNEC pulled away with a 7-0 run to take the first set, 25-14. The Golden Bears continued that momentum into the second set, earning a 25-6 win, before capturing the final set 25-12.
The Golden Bears will be back in action on Thursday when they travel to take on Worcester State at 7:00 pm. The AMCATS will also play Thursday, hosting Clark University in a non-conference match starting at 7:00 pm. |
Leopards tame the AMCATS in conference opener
Box Score
PAXTON, Mass. – The Wentworth Leopards defeated the AMCATS of Anna Maria, 3-1, in the conference opener for both teams. Wentworth improves to 3-8, 1-0 in conference play, while Anna Maria falls to 5-3 overall with 0-1 record in the CCC.
The AMCATS got off to a hot start in the first match, taking a 7-1 lead. The Leopards would climb back into the match late pair with a pair of 4-0 runs to get within three points at 24-21. But the AMCATS withstood the late charge to close out the game 25-21. AMCAT senior Brittany Langdeau (Wolcott, CT) led the team with 6 digs while freshman Leah Murphy (Wareham, MA) chipped in with 5 kills.
The second game started off with the Leopards reeling off four straight points. The AMCATS would answer back immediately with a 3-0 run of their own. But that’s as close as the match would get due to the Leopards strong play up front. Wentworth would go on 17-2 run to end the game, highlighted by an ace from junior Jen Guidice (Central Valley, NY) to take the game 25-8.
Game three went back and forth until the Leopards went on a 5-0 run to widen their lead to 15-6. Once the Leopards got on a roll, they never looked back, closing out the game with a 7-0 run to take game two 25-13.
The AMCATS battled hard early on in game four, highlighted by a spike from sophomore Nichole Robbie (Bellingham, MA). But the Leopards had too much firepower led by strong play from sophomore Julie Bruton (Montgomery, TX) and freshmen Julie Rahilly (Nashua, NH). Wentworth closed out the game with 8-0 run, taking the game 25-13, and the match 3-1.
Bruton and Rahilly were the stars of the game for Wentworth, totaling 22 kills, 20 digs and three blocks between the two. The AMCATS were led Langdeau’s 6 digs while Murphy had 8 kills and 2 blocks.
The AMCATS return to action with a conference match up at home against WNEC on September 22nd at 7:00 pm. The Leopard will take on Salve Regina on September 22nd. |
Lancers defeat AMCATS in home opener, 3-0
 Murphy led AMC with 9 kills in the match
PAXTON, Mass.-- The Worcester State Lancers defeated the Anna Maria AMCATS, 3-0, in a non-conference matchup Thursday night at the Fuller Activities Center. Worcester State improves to 3-6 while Anna Maria falls to 5-2.
The first match was tied 10-10 until Worcester State went on a 6-0 run to take a 16-10 lead, highlighted by two kills from senior Lauren Saylor (Swansea, Mass.).
Anna Maria fought back with a 7-0 run of its own to square the match at 18 a piece, receiving two huge kills by reigning TCCC Rookie of the Week Leah Murphy (Wareham, Mass.).
The Lancers rallied back to win seven of the remaining nine points and take the first set 25-20.
The second game was evenly played early on, with the Lancers holding a slight 10-8 advantage. The Lancers took control from that point with two separate five-point rallies and took the second set by a score of 25-13.
The AMCATS hung tough in game three, but the Lancers went on a seven-point run down the stretch, led by four kills from freshman Kate O’Rourke (Milford, Mass.), to win the final set by a 25-15 margin, and take the match 3-0.
Saylor (14 kills, 5 digs), O’Rouke (6 kills), and sophomore Brittany Stoddard (Orange, Mass.) (15 assists and 3 aces) led the Lancers, while Murphy (9 kills, 2 digs, 2 blocks), Nichole Robbie (Bellingham, Mass.)(3 kills, 2 digs, block) and Sandy Acosta (Lawrence, Mass.) (4 kills, 2 blocks) played well for Anna Maria.
Anna Maria hosts Wentworth in their first TCCC match of the season September 19th at 12:00 p.m., while Worcester State hosts Southern Maine September 19th at 1:00 p.m. |
Murphy and Markopoulos earn TCCC Weeklly Awards
 Murohy had 41 kills for the 5-1 AMCATS
TCCC Weekly Awards
PAXTON, Mass. – Anna Maria College senior George Markopoulos (Worcester, Mass.) captured The Commonwealth Coast Conference Men’s Soccer Player of the Week while AMC freshman Leah Murphy (Wareham, Mass.) earned the TCCC Women’s Volleyball Rookie of the Week Award, announced by Conference Commissioner Gregg Kaye on Tuesday afternoon.
Markopoulos had back-to-back hat tricks this week to lead the AMCATS to victories over both Emerson College and Colby-Sawyer College. He currently leads the TCCC in both goals (7) and points (14) and has moved into second place all-time at Anna Maria College in career goals and points. The AMCATS are off to one of their best starts in years, leading the TCCC by going 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference.
Murphy led the AMCATS to a 4-0 record this week with a team-high 41 kills, including 14 against Becker College on Monday night. Murphy had an outstanding hitting-percentage of .522 during the week while averaging 3.15 kills per set. She is currently third in the TCCC with 2.62 kills per set. Leah has been a key component in helping the AMCATS to their best start in program history with a 5-1 record.
George and Leah will both be in action this Saturday. Markopoulos leads the men’s soccer team against Roger Williams on the road, while Murphy and the women’s volleyball team host Wentworth in their first conference match of the season. |
AMC takes three-straight from Wildcats
 Murphy had a match-high nine kills
Box Score
HOLYOKE, Mass.—The Anna Maria College women's volleyball team defeated the Wildcats of Bay Path 3-0 on Tuesday night. Anna Maria took all three sets from the Wildcats 25-14, 25-18 and 25-12 in NCAA Division III women’s volleyball action.
Bay Path was led by junior outside hitter Nadine Harkless (Westfield, Mass.) who tallied a team high eight kills for a .250 attack percentage. Harkless added five service aces and four digs for 13 points on the evening. Defensively, the Wildcats were led by junior libero Davi Chuong (Easthampton, Mass.) with 12 digs. Chuong also added two aces. Freshman setter Ashley Provost (Ludlow, Mass.) had 12 assists and two digs for her collegiate debut.
Senior outside hitter Ashley Cimmino (Westfield, Mass.) chipped in five kills and seven digs for five points. Junior middle hitter Dani Turner (Bellow Falls, Vt.) finished with a .250 hitting percentage.
Anna Maria was led by freshman middle hitter Leah Murphy (Wareham, Mass.) who hit .368 for the match. She had a game high nine kills. Fellow freshman middle hitter Sandy Acosta (Lawrence, Mass.) was not far behind swinging for a .385 attack percentage. Acosta had seven kills while pitching in three digs.
Two AMCATS hit over .500 including freshman defensive specialist Melissa Steadman (Mason, NH) with four kills on eight attempts and sophomore setter Alicia Bonneau (Worcester, Mass.) who tallied a .600 hitting percentage. Bonneau had a match high 18 assists, while Steadman had an amazing seven aces and added five digs.
Senior Libero Brittany Langdeau (Wolcott, Conn.) led defensively with 13 kills for Anna Maria.
Anna Maria hit .297 for the match while Bay Path only managed a .020 overall attack percentage. The victory came off of 26 kills and 41 points for the AMCATS to the Wildcats 17 kills and 25 points for the meeting.
Anna Maria advances to 2-1 on the season while Bay Path falls to 0-1 overall. The Wildcats will be on the road on Friday, September 11th at Western New England College for a 7:00 p.m. start time. The AMCATS will return to action this Saturday when they travel to take part in a tri-match hosted by Southern Vermont.
Release Courtesy of Bay Path Sports Information |
AMCATS earn split in opening tri-match
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - On Saturday afternoon, the Anna Maria College AMCATS opened it's young season with a split in a non-conference tri-match hosted by Albertus Magnus College.
After dropping the first set in the opening match against the host Falcons 25-21, the AMCATS battled hard to take the next three sets 25-20, 25-20, and 25-22, and the match three games to one.
In game two, the Nighthawks of Newbury College controlled the first two games against Anna Maria College 25-19, and 25-18. Anna Maria College's AMCATS won the hard fought third game 28-26 but ultimately lost a competitive fourth game 25-21.
The third and final match of the afternoon featured the Newbury College Night Hawks versus the Lady Falcons of Albertus Magnus College. A very close first game went to Newbury 25-22 along with the second game 25-15. The Lady Falcons rallied late in the third game but lost a very close game 25-23. Albertus Magnus College drops to 0-2, 0-0 GNAC on the young season while Anna Maria College is 1-1, 0-0 TCCC and Newbury College starts off the season at 2-0, 0-0 NECC.
Release Courtesy of Newbury Sports Information |
AMCATS win TCCC Team Sportsmanship Award
The Anna Maria College women's volleyball team was the recipient of the TCCC Team Sportsmanship Award, as announced by Conference Commissioner Greg Kaye on Tuesday.
Whether they were in lead or trailing, the AMCATS consistently played the game with respect for their opponents, the fans, and the officials. The team was also active in the community, even helping to raise money for breast cancer awareness by hosting what turned out to be an extremely successful “Dig Pink” event, which was held at the Fuller Activities Center.
The AMCATS made drastic improvements on the court this season as well. On September 6th, the AMCATS defeated both Newbury College and Albertus Magnus College by the score of 3-0. It marked the first time in program history that AMC had swept both matches of a tri-match. Several players had strong seasons including junior Brittany Langdeau (Wolcott, Conn.) who broke the all-time single season record for digs in a season at Anna Maria with 279. Brittany finished third in the conference averaging 3.99 digs per game. Freshman Marcia McCoy (Hudson, Mass.) also had a very successful season, finishing fifth in the conference averaging 0.53 aces per game.
First year Head Coach Elysce Tackmann deserves a fare share of the credit for the improved play in 2008, and will no doubt be looking to take her club to the next level in 2009. With all but two players from this year’s team returning for next season, the AMCATS appear to be a team on the rise.
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