Blue Volleyball Splits on Final Day of MIT Invitational

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The Wellesley College volleyball team earned a split on the final day of the MIT Invitational on Saturday. The Blue opened the day with a 3-0 win over Bates (6-3), but fell 3-2, to Roger Williams (12-0), who is ranked #1 in the latest NEWVA Coaches Poll.

The split gives Wellesley a 3-1 record in the tournament, ranking them third overall in the final standings. Springfield and Roger Williams each went 4-0, with the Pride getting the title based on total points allowed. 

Wellesley now sports an 8-1 overall mark, while the team is ranked #3 in the latest NEWVA poll.

Against Bates, Wellesley came away with a 3-0 win, using set scores of 25-20, 25-15, and 25-23.

Leading the offense, Sydney Carfagno was nearly unstoppable, recording 18 kills, with just one error, taking 28 attempts (.607). Kellyn O'Brady added six kills, a career-high six aces, and six digs in the win, while Caitlin Laughlin, picked up five kills and five blocks.

Also against Bates, Hilary Ayers dished out 17 assists, while Maddie Koh added 11. Traci Hamanaka rounded out the box score with a game-high 16 digs.

In Wellesley's second match of the day, the Blue lost a heart-breaker in five sets to Roger Williams. The Hawks came out on top with scores of 27-29, 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 15-9.

Carfagno and O'Brady each recorded double-doubles in the match, as Carfagno picked up 19 kills and 18 digs, while O'Brady added 11 kills and 18 digs. Also aiding the offense, Brooke Fieldman recorded a career-high of 10 digs, hitting at a .318 clip.

Ayers directed the Blue attack with 24 assists, while also recording a season-best 15 digs to complete a double-double of her own. Koh filled out her stat sheet with 15 assists and seven digs, while Hamanaka piled on 22 digs. Rounding out the match stats, Laughlin added seven kills and three blocks.

Following the completion of the tournament, Carfagno earned a spot on the six-member All-Tournament team. 

Wellesley returns to action on Tuesday, playing its home and NEWMAC opener against Emerson at 7:00pm.