CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - After a slow start to the 2007 season, the Lesley University women's volleyball team have been riding a recent wave of success into the North Atlantic Conference playoffs.

Coached by first year Liz Morris, the #4 seed Lynx will take on the #5 seed Becker College in the quarterfinals of the NAC tournament on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. at BB&N gymnasium.  In two previous meetings between these two teams, Lesley has walked away victorious to the tune of 3-0 and 3-1, respectively.  After winning 6 of their last 8 games, the confidence in this diverse Lynx squad is at a season high.

With a strong mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen, Lesley is poised for a deep tournament run.  Junior setter Gianna Spaziante (Hawthorne, N.Y.) has been the leader all season as she has been a vital part of this team's chemistry.  Spaziante has averaged 8.29 assists per game, showing the ability to distribute kills out to the several different offensive threats on the court.  Spaziante also leads the team in aces, totaling 92 for the season.  Senior Beth Hoilund (Germantown, N.Y.) has been a consistent threat at the middle hitter position for the Lynx in her final season.  Defensively for the Lynx, junior defensive specialist Hana Sakamoto (Tokyo, JAPAN) has provided key digs (176).  First years, junior Kelly Harrington (Toledo, Ohio) and senior Anya Vines (San Jose, Calif.), have played important roles for the Lynx as they are both consistent starters.

Lesley is loaded with freshman and sophomore talent, led by sophomore middle hitter Lindsey Marek (Killingworth, Conn.) who converted 27.4% of her attacks into kills in 2007.  She also leads the Lynx with 84 blocked shots.  Freshmen Meaghan Chadwick (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Jackie Ungaro (Valley Stream, N.Y.) are right behind Marek in total kills with 111 and 117, respectively.

The team finished the regular season with an overall record of 13-10 (6-2 NAC).  If they defeat Becker in the quarterfinals, they will move on to face the winner of #8 Castleton State College and #1 Maine Maritime Academy.

To learn more about the Lesley University women's volleyball team, please visit their website.