Story courtesy of Rob Palardy, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - In their final home match of the regular season, the Lesley University women's volleyball capitalized on a dominating performance by freshman Amanda McCracken (ELDERSBURG, Md./Liberty) to beat Simmons College 3-1.  The Lynx dropped the first set to the Sharks, but regrouped to win three straight en route to victory.

McCracken was near perfect in the match with 12 kills on 22 attacks with just two errors.  The middle hitter was also an effective server with eight aces which helped to keep the Lynx in the match.  McCracken also tallied two total blocks.

Meaghan Chadwick (CHELMSFORD, Mass./Chelmsford) complemented her teammate's effort with eight kills on 23 attacks and also contributed with eight digs. 

Kaitlyn Miller (LEESPORT, Pa./Schuylkill Valley) and Kaitlyn Wechsler (MERRICK, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy Academy) each had a team-high with nine digs and Miller, the team's setter, had 26 set assists in victory.

For Simmons, setter Rachel Dufault (WESTPORT, Mass./Westport) dished out 21 assists and added a match-high 10 aces.  Five of Dufault's 10 assists came in the second set during a seven point streak for the Sharks.  Defensively, the freshman had 10 digs to lead all players.

Taylor Pederson (San Antonio, Texas/ISA) led Simmons with seven kills and had two total blocks.  Kelly Last (WEST HAVEN, Conn./West Haven) and Kate Fionte (ANDOVER, Mass./Andover) each added six kills a piece in the loss. 

Lesley improved to 11-12 (3-2 NECC) with the win while Simmons dropped to 10-15 (4-5 GNAC).

The Lynx will travel to Southern Vermont College on Saturday, October 31 to compete in a crucial NECC Trimatch including Elms College.  Simmons hosts Norwich University on the same day.