BOSTON, Mass. - The third-seeded Simmons College volleyball team will take on number six-seeded Norwich University in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament Quarterfinals on Tuesday, November 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the Holmes Sports Center's Moore Gymnasium in Boston, Mass.
The Sharks have won their last three GNAC quarterfinal matches with victories in 2013, 2012 and 2011.
Simmons finished the regular season by winning eight of its last nine matches, including eight conference wins to end the campaign with an 11-14 mark, including 9-2 in league play to secure the number three seed in the GNAC Tournament. The third place conference showing is the highest finish for Simmons volleyball since 1999 when it compiled a 7-3 league mark to place third in the conference standings. Norwich enters the match with a 13-14 overall record, including 5-6 in GNAC action.
The Sharks defeated the Cadets on October 18, 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-13), in Moore Gymnasium in their only meeting this season and lead the all-time series, 7-3. Sophomore outside hitter Caitlin Fredrickson (Columbia, Md.) led the home team with a match-high nine kills and a .250 hitting mark, while junior middle hitter Tara Lyons (Pocasset, Mass.) spiked for eight kills for Norwich. First year Emmee Ashby (Payson, Ariz.) put away seven kills and fired five aces for Simmons and sophomore setter Andalyn Duke (Litchfield Park, Ariz.) set for 23 assists and picked up 11 digs. First year setter Katherine Crane (Avon, N.Y.) doled out 23 assists and registered 11 digs for the Cadets as well.
Simmons early season struggles could be attributed to the fact that it has the youngest roster in the conference with just two juniors, five sophomores and six first year athletes on the squad, while also playing one of the most challenging schedules in the league. The Sharks have played two nationally-ranked teams as well as six teams, which have been ranked in the region this season. The upside for Simmons, however, is that the team was able to gel throughout the year and become much better, due to tough competition and a clearer understanding of the college game, as evidenced by its 11-4 record to close out the regular season.
The Sharks have been led by first year Emmee Ashby (Payson, Ariz.), who has been named the GNAC Rookie of the Week a league-high four times in addition to earning the same honor from the Eastern College Athletic Conference three times this season. The middle blocker ranks second in the league with 2.95 kills per set, while standing third with a .288 hitting percentage and 3.54 points per frame. Ashby has also proven to be a force on the defensive side of the net as well, averaging 0.64 blocks per set to place her ninth among league leaders.
Classmate Sarah Woodward (Deering, Mass.) has made an impact as one of the team's best all-around players. The outside hitter has been effective on the offensive side with 1.77 kills per set to rank second on the team as well as 21 service aces for the third-most on the team. Her defensive instincts have been solid as well with 1.86 digs per frame. Sophomore transfer Cailin Fredrickson (Columbia, Md.) led Simmons vs. Norwich with nine kills as part of a second half of the season that has really seen her blossom. The outside hitter is averaging 1.65 kills per set, but since September 23 has put down 1.90 kills per frame to go with a formidable .193 hitting mark. Junior Nicole Alberghini (Northborough, Mass.) has the most college experience of any of the Sharks up front and has been solid on both sides of the net as well. The right side hitter is second on the team with a .149 hitting mark to go with 1.54 kills per set and 37 total blocks, which is the third-most on the squad. Sophomore middle hitter Abby Hart (Westfield, Mass.) has been an intimidating force at the net, racking up 51 total blocks to lead the squad with 0.66 rejections per set to rank sixth in the GNAC. She's contributed on the offensive side as well with 1.29 kills per frame.
Sophomore Andalyn Duke (Litchfield Park, Ariz.) has become more than just a playmaker for the squad. The five-foot, nine-inch setter has not only averaged 8.12 assists per set, but has defended well at the net with 22 total blocks and picked up 2.21 digs per set as well.
One of Simmons' strengths has been its ability to keep plays going with its defense. Sophomore Alex Itasaka (Bradford, Mass.) anchors the defense with a knack to get to almost any ball on the floor and is averaging nearly four digs per set. She's also been a key from the service line with 22 aces to rank second on the team. Classmate Kat Guillotte (New Bedford, Mass.) serves as another reliable defender for the Sharks, especially on serve receptions. She leads the squad with a .956 success rate, while recording 1.95 digs per frame. Junior Chanel Thomas (Phoenix, Ariz.) has provided a spark for Simmons every time she's been on the floor, both with her defensive play and her ability to provide energy on and off the court. The defensive specialist has also been a threat to score every time she serves the ball with a team-high 25 aces.
The Norwich offense has plenty of experience with senior middle hitter Kelsey Mancini (Lynnfield, Mass.) leading the way for the Cadets this season, averaging 2.17 kills per set on a .210 hitting mark and a team-high 35 aces, while senior outside hitter Alex Palmer (South Windsor, Conn.) is swinging for 2.04 kills per set and a .122 hitting rate. Palmer has been solid defensively as well with 3.02 digs per set. Junior Tara Lyons (Pocasset, Mass.) has hit .200 for the year to go with 1.93 kills per frame. Crane has set for 7.33 assists to direct the offense, while sophomore liberto Alex Ruediger (Sandy Lake, Pa.) has been a defensive stalwart with 3.92 digs per set for Norwich.