Simmons Volleyball competed in the 2009 Emerson/Wentworth Women's Volleyball Invitational All-Tournament Team this weekend. The Sharks took on four teams over two days, and emerged from the tournament with one win over Wentworth, and the selection of sophomore outside hitter Kate Fionte (Andover, Mass.) to the All-Tournament Team.
Simmons took home its first victory of the day with a 3-1 win over Wentworth. The Sharks won the first set, 25-23, before the Leopards tied the match with a 25-23 win in the second set. However, Simmons would win the following two sets, 25-19, and 25-20, respectively. Sophomore Meaghan Flynn (Laguna Beach, Calif.) had 18 kills, while Fionte chipped in with eight. Freshman Rachel Dufault (Westport, Mass.) served six aces and senior Amanda Weaver (Eaton, Ohio) had 32 assists.
Despite the win over Wentworth, the Sharks fell to Plymouth State 3-0 and FDU-Florham 3-0. Ramapo was the closest loss at 3-1, despite eight kills and 11 digs from Fionte and 23 digs from senior Jessica Hambleton (Methuen, Mass.) against the Roadrunners.
An individual from each institution was selected to the all-tournament team. Nominations came from that player's head coach as well as the head coach of the opposing team for that match. The team is listed below:
School Player (Class, Position, Hometown)
Emerson Lauren Zaniboni (Jr. MH, San Diego, Calif.)
FDU-Florham Kerry Kuperman (Jr. S, North Merrick, N.Y.)
Framingham State Ashley Trudeau (Jr. OH, Rockland, Mass.)
Hamilton Amanda Cohen (Fr. OH, Port Washington, N.Y.)
Plymouth State Eliza Badeau (Sr. MH, Foster, R.I.)
Ramapo Kayla Anders (So. MB, Harrington Park, N.J.)
Salve Regina Brittney Canaff (Paramus, N.J.)
Simmons Kate Fionte (So. OH, Andover, Mass.)
Wentworth Julie Bruton (So. MB, Montgomery, Texas)
The Sharks, now 1-4 on the season, will regroup to take on the meat of their fall season. Volleyball returns to action at home on Wednesday, September 9 at 6:00pm when they play UMass Boston at home.