For Immediate Release
September 27, 2011
Wellesley College Sports Information

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Led by nine kills from Kellyn O'Brady, Wellesley volleyball defeated Mount Holyoke 3-0 (25-10, 25-11, 25-18) Tuesday night at Keohane Sports Center. Wellesley now stands at 9-5 on the season, 3-1 in NEWMAC play. The Lyons drop to 5-4, 1-3 in the conference.

Martina Kneifel led the attack for the visitors with seven kills, eight digs, and two aces. Kathryn Brummer chipped in three kills, while Kaleen Iwema anchored the defense with 10 digs. Alison Chu and Molly Fitzpatrick shared setting duties, tallying six assists each.

O'Brady's nine kills led the Blue, followed by Callan Roberts and Caitlin Laughlin with five a piece. Traci Hamanaka and Vivian Hu recorded 15 and 10 digs, respectively, while Hilary Ayers distributed 21 assists in the win.

The Blue scored early and often to open the match, building an 11-1 run courtesy of a aggressive serving from Sydney Carfagno. Carfagno later closed out the set with another four-point run from the service line. The Lyons stayed even in the opening rallies of game two, but the Blue, who sided out at 100% efficiency in the set, gradually opened a lead and coasted to a 25-11 win.

Mount Holyoke rebounded in game three, grabbing an early 8-7 edge on a serving run from Kneifel. Another Lyons run, this one from Kristina Weld tied the game at 11-11. The squads traded sideouts until a late surge gave the Blue a 22-17 advantage before holding on for the straight-set win.

Mount Holyoke returns to action on Saturday, October 1, when they host a non-conference tri-match with Mills College and Bay Path beginning at 10am. The Blue are off until Tuesday, October 4, when they travel to Wheaton for a 7pm NEWMAC matchup.