Sharks Topped by Saints in GNAC Quarterfinals

Simmons Volleyball was defeated by Emmanuel, 3-1, on Tuesday night in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament Quarterfinal match. The 3rd-seeded Saints escaped a tough Sharks team, which held a solid lead in three of the four sets. Emmanuel?s tournament experience paid off, as the Saints edged the 6th-seeded Sharks in four sets (25-23, 21-25, 25-15, 25-23). Sophomore OH Meaghan Flynn (Laguna Beach, Calif.) was named to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Second Team, and sophomore Krista Evans (Killen, Ala.) earned a spot on the All-Conference Sportsmanship Team, the GNAC announced Friday evening. The honors came after the Sharks finished the 2009 fall season with a 7-5 conference record, and the highest post-season seeding since the 1999 tournament.
Posted: Nov 04, 2009

Simmons Volleyball was defeated by Emmanuel, 3-1, on Tuesday night in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament Quarterfinal match. The 3rd-seeded Saints escaped a tough Sharks team, which held a solid lead in three of the four sets. Emmanuel's tournament experience paid off, as the Saints edged the 6th-seeded Sharks in four sets (25-23, 21-25, 25-15, 25-23).

Simmons came out strong, holding a seven-point lead early in the opening set. Emmanuel rallied late in the game to take the 25-23 win. The Sharks won the second set, 25-21, and the Saints rebounded to easily win the third, 25-15. The nail-biting fourth set came down to the wire. The Sharks held a three-point lead at 23-20, but Emmanuel was able to rattle off five unanswered points to come away with the 25-23 win.

Sophomore Meaghan Flynn (Laguna Beach, Calif.) racked up a double-double of 13 kills and 12 digs, while senior Jessica Hambleton (Methuen, Mass.) tallied up a career-high 21 digs. Senior Amanda Weaver (Eaton, Ohio) made smart decisions on the court and led the Sharks through the contest, finishing the game with a game-high 36 assists. Sophomores Kate Fionte (Andover, Mass.) and Krista Evans (Killen, Ala.) were stellar throughout the match as they each chipped in 6 kills apiece, with Fionte also contributing 10 digs and two aces. Freshman Kelly Last (West Haven, Conn.) had six kills for the Sharks on the night.

The Saints had a balanced offensive attack with Rebecca Stanton, Diana Grimaldi, and Jenna Ross racking up 7 kills apiece, with Ross also chipping in 24 digs. Freshman libero Samantha Andazola led the Emmanuel defense with 28 digs. Megan Clary gathered 26 digs on the night. Setter Kathryne Olsen dished out 22 assists, while senior Nicole McAllister tallied 4 blocks and 2 aces in the win.

"Simmons played point for point with a higher seeded team, and gave Emmanuel a run for their money," said Head Coach Jason Conetta. "Jessica Hambleton and Amanda Weaver played their last volleyball game as Sharks with complete poise and determination. They have set the tone for next season, and will always be remembered as the 'seniors who started it all.'"

Scoreboard