CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Lesley University women's volleyball team wrapped up their regular season and has earned the No. 4 seed in the upcoming New England Collegiate Conference Championship Tournament. Postseason play will open up on Tuesday night when the Lynx play host to fifth-seeded Bay Path University at 8:00p at the Nicholas Athletics Center.
Lesley finished the season at 9-14 overall and 5-3 in conference play and look to advance to the NECC title match for the second straight season. Bay Path earned an 8-10 mark on the season and an even 4-4 record in NECC matchups.
NECC WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL FIRST ROUND
No. 5 Bay Path University (8-10, 4-4 NECC) at No. 4 Lesley University (9-14, 5-3 NECC)
Tuesday, November 1st – 8:00p
Nicholas Athletics Center – 80 Gerry's Landing Road, Cambridge, Mass.
Scouting Lesley
The junior duo of Kaylee Deluga (Dennis, Mass.) and Anni Abbruzzese (Croton on Hudson, N.Y.) paces the Lynx offensive attack. Deluga is among the tops in the conference in nearly every statistical category and averages 3.44 kills/set while swinging .276 from the floor. Abbruzzese follows Deluga with 2.55 kills/set and is second on the team with 3.20 digs/set. Senior Jess Reynolds (Londonderry, N.H.) anchors the Lesley defense with 3.94 kills/set.
After a sluggish 2-9 start to the season, the Lynx have bounced back nicely in the month of October with a 7-5 record in the month.
Scouting Bay Path
Junior Lauren Vallee is the main cog in the lineup as she boats team-highs in nearly every statistical category. The junior middle hitter averages 3.14 kills, 2.39 digs, to go with 32 total aces and 17 total blocks. Sophomore Lexi Cears will set up with offense and leads the team with 6.49 assists/set.
The Wildcats enter postseason play with a 4-3 record in their last seven matches.
Previous Matchup
The two sides played a tight four-set match with the Lynx using set scores of 25-22, 22-25, 25-20, and 25-22 to prevail 3-1 on the road. Deluga and Abbruzzese combined for 27 kills for the visitors while senior setter Vera Bednar (Helmond, Netherlands) added 31 assists.
What's At Stake
The winner of Tuesday night's matchup will advance to the Semifinal Round and battle top-seeded Regis College on the Pride Campus on Friday night. The Pride, along with second-seed Daniel Webster College, have received a First Round bye.
NECC Championship Tournament Schedule
First Round – Tuesday, November 1st
Game 1: #5 Bay Path @ #4 Lesley 8:00 p.m. Game 2: #6 Becker @ #3 Newbury 7:00 p.m.Semifinals – Friday, November 4th
Game 3: Game 1 winner @ #1 Regis - 5:00 p.m. Game 4: Game 2 winner @ #2 Daniel Webster – 7:00 p.m.Championship – Sunday, November 6th
Game 5: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner – TBA
Seeding:
1. Regis College
2. Daniel Webster College
3. Newbury College
4. Lesley University
5. Bay Path University
6. Becker College