PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Returning to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play, Simmons volleyball (12-6, 6-0 GNAC) remained perfect in conference play sweeping Saturday afternoon's tri-match against Johnson & Wales University and Elms College.

GAME 1: Simmons 3, Johnson & Wales 0

The Sharks avenged last season's, four-set, semifinal loss to the Wildcats with a 3-0 sweep to begin the day. Taking advantage of a couple of Wildcats mistakes, Simmons set the tone jumping out to an early 10-4 advantage, forcing Johnson & Wales to call its first time out.  Simmons continued to build upon their lead as they took the first set by a convincing 25-15 score.

The second set was much tighter, but the Sharks battled out a 25-21 to take a 2-0 match lead before sealing the victory edging out the Wildcats, 28-26 in the third. Junior outside hitter Claire Conners was outstanding from the floor, hitting .429 with 13 kills on 28 attempts and just one error, while senior outside hitter Sydney Iannantuono followed up with nine kills and 14 digs.

Sophomore Meghan Doxsee continued to be a presence, defensively at the net, tallying three block assists. Junior setter Kat Simeonidis paced the offense with 31 set assists en route to the victory.

GAME 2: Simmons 3, Elms 0

The Sharks' momentum continued to roll into their second match of the day, hitting .343 as a team in the first set against Elms to take the 1-0 match lead with the 25-12 win. Similar to the first match of the day against the Wildcats, the Blazers made the second set close, but Simmons escaped with the 25-21 win to take the 2-0 lead before claiming the match with a 25-19 win in the third set.

Conners remained on point from the floor. Posting a .323 attack percentage, she registered her second double-double of the season tallying 11 kills on 31 attempts with one error, while notching 10 defensive digs. Iannantuono followed up, hitting .292 with eight kills on 24 attempts, while recording eight digs and two block assists.

Junior setter Kat Simeonidis paced the offense with 30 assists, while junior Jayla Parnell posted a .462 attack percentage with six kills on 13 attempts. Sophomore April Beatty led the way defensively with 15 digs.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Junior outside hitter Claire Conners registered a .372 attack percentage on the day, tallying 24 kills on 59 attempts and just two errors.
• Conners recorded just her second double-double of the season against Elms with 11 kills and 10 digs.
• Senior outside hitter Sydney Iannantuono registered 17 kills on 53 attempts, while tallying 22 digs against Johnson & Wales and Elms.
• Junior setter Kat Simeonidis recorded 61 set assists.

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the court on Thursday, October 13 they host Rivier University a 7 p.m.