Bay Path 3, Pine Manor 0

In the middle match of the day, Bay Path trailed just three times in the first set and never trailed the rest of the way, hitting .317 as part of the 25-15, 25-10, 25-7 sweep.

Elizabeth Haylette (Terryville, Conn.) racked up 12 kills to lead the attack, while Arriadne Sykes (Hartford, Conn.) had nine and Katelynn Hannan (Troy, N.Y.) added six with eight digs. Synott chipped in with 10 digs and four kills while Provost had 16 assists.

Phalonge Pierre (Boston, Mass.) and Mann had five kills apiece for Pine Manor with Man added 11 digs.

Bay Path finished with a 35-11 differential in total kills, 28-9 in assists, 12-4 in aces and 42-37 in digs.

Daniel Webster 3, Pine Manor 0

In the nightcap, DWC hit .343 and trailed only once throughout the 45-minute match, winning 25-15, 25-9, and 25-11.

Michelle Cole (Quincy, Mass.) had five kills and nine digs for the Gators, who finished their season 3-15 overall. Destiny Mann (Orlando, Fla.) added six assists, eight digs and two aces.

DWC out-killed PMC 33-11, and added overwhelming advantages in assists (31-9), aces (18-5), and digs (32-25).

Special Thanks to Daniel Webster College Athletic Communications

The Pride took games one and two by matching scores of 25-6. In the final set, Regis built a 10-3 lead before the Gators made it a 19-8 game on a Pride service error. Another Regis error made it 22-13, but the Pride scored two of the next three points to take a 24-14 lead, and a Pratt kill on a pass by Soraia Pinto (Brockton, Mass.) ended the final set, 25-14.

Regis swung .386 for the night, including a blistering .545 in the first set. Julie Endara (Boca Raton, Fla.) chipped in with nine kills, while Samantha Bliss (Framingham, Mass.) added seven of her own with three digs. Marilia Ramos (Chimbote, Peru) and Soraia Pinto combined for 37 assists, including Ramos’ match-high 20 helpers. Sara Gold (North Hollywood, Calif.) paced the Pride defense with 11 kills.

Pine Manor was led by two kills from Michelle Cole (Quincy, Mass.), while Natasia Franklin (Windsor, Conn.) and Phalogne Pierre (Boston, Mass.) also added a kill apiece. Destiny Mann (Orlando, Fla.) handed out two assists and posted a team-best 11 digs. Franklin and Betzy Maysonet (Jamaica Plain, N.Y.) combined for the lone block in the contest.

Pine Manor will try and snap a seven game skid on Saturday afternoon as the Gators face Bay Path College and Daniel Webster College in a tri-match starting at 10:00 a.m.

Thanks to Regis College Athletic Communications

The visiting Blue Jays flew out to an early lead in the first set, shutting down Pine Manor defensively while hitting at a .412 clip to grab a 25-13 first set victory. Perez and freshman Samantha Edwon (Beacon Falls, CT) each opened the match with three kills in the first set.

Saint Joseph took a 2-0 lead following the second set as sophomore Megan Williams (Lakeville, CT) paced the offense en route to finishing with a match-high 20 set assists. However, Perez continued to be the story in the second set, as the sophomore put down seven kills on 12 attempts, including seven of her first eight, without committing an error.

The Blue Jays put the Gators away in the final set, jumping out to a 7-1 lead and never looking back. Freshman Emily Vigue (Lebanon, CT) led the way with four of her five kills in the final frame to help Saint Joseph to the 3-0 victory.

The Blue Jays finished with a 19-3 advantage in services aces as Saint Joseph picked up its seventh win of the season to move to 7-20 overall (1-9 GNAC).

For Pine Manor, Michelle Cole (Quincy, MA) finished with a team-high two kills while sophomore Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL) added a team-high five digs as the Gators dropped to 3-12 on the season.

Both teams will be back in action on Thursday night. Saint Joseph will travel to take on Mitchell College in New London, CT. Pine Manor will also be on the road, as the Gators will take on Regis. Both matches are scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.

Pine Manor freshman Michelle Cole (Quincy, MA) finished with a match-high eight kills but it was not enough to rally Pine Manor as the Gators fell to 3-11 on the season with the setback. For PMC, sophomore Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL) and classmate Samira Lopes (Boston, MA) tied for match-high honors with eight digs.

Nine different players recorded at least one kill for the Falcons. Senior Maritza Rosemond (New Haven, CT), junior Lily Dy (Torrington, CT) and freshman Kelsey Pendagast (Meriden,CT) each recorded three kills apiece. Pendagast also finished with a match-high five service aces, helping the Falcons to collect 14 as a team.

Albertus will return to action on Sunday afternoon when they will travel to Boston, MA to take on Emerson College. The Gators will host their final home game of the season next Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. when they host the Blue Jays of Saint Joseph CT.

Box Score

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Sophomore setter Nicole Hansen (Biddeford, ME) tied for match-high honors with six service aces while dishing out 19 assists as the University of Southern Maine topped Pine Manor three sets to none, by scores of 25-15, 25-8, and 25-17, to earn their ninth victory of the season on Tuesday night at Brunelli Court in Chestnut Hill, MA.

Freshman Kelsey Abramson (Deerfield, MA) also finished with six service aces while putting down four kills to help the Huskies improve to 9-16 overall. On the night, the visiting Huskies collected 21 services aces as a team. With the setback, Pine Manor falls to 3-10 on the season.

Pine Manor was led by a team-high five kills from sophomore Natasia Franklin (Windsor, CT). However, the Gators struggled offensively on the night as no other Pine Manor player finished with more than two kills. Sophomore Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL) finished with three service aces and nine digs for the Gators while freshman Michelle Cole (Quincy, MA) collected a match-high 10 digs.

Southern Maine received a match-high six kills junior Madalyn Terry (Kennebunkport, ME) as well as five kills from classmate Annie Mitchell (Gorham, ME). Demi Ruder finished with a team-high eight digs for the Huskies.

Pine Manor will have a quick turnaround as they prepare to host Albertus Magnus on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. Albertus and Pine Manor met earlier this season with the Falcons taking a 3-0 victory back on September 8. Southern Maine will be back in action on Saturday, October 20 when they head to Rhode Island College for a tri-match that also features Saint Joseph’s (ME).

Mass. Maritime avenged a 3-2 defeat earlier this season by outlasting Pine Manor, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 25-23.

Deb Langley led Mass. Maritime with 12 assists, nine digs and two service aces and Alex Burgess-Chrost had 17 digs and eight kills. Meghan Weir contributed seven kills and four aces.

Destiny Mann (9 assists, 12 aces, 6 kills), Michelle Cole (5 kills, 7 assists) and Natasia Franklin (6 aces, 4 kills) led Pine Manor.

Westfield St. then cruised to a 25-6, 25-11, 25-16 over Pine Manor. Shannon Shea (8 kills, 6 digs) and Stana Wheeler (28 assists, 6 aces)  led the Owls. While Sarah Green (9 digs, 2 aces), Carole Duquette (6 aces) and Chelsea Adams (5 kills, 5 aces) also chipped in to help the Owls earn the sweep.

For PMC, Natasia Franklin (Windsor, CT) had two kills and five blocks for Pine Manor in the Westfield game.

In the first match of the day, Westfield swept Mass. Maritime, 25-5, 25-11, 25-9.

Freshmen Shannon Shea (9 kills, 4 digs) and  (29 assists, 5 service aces) led the Owls. Sophomore Becca Green had four aces and seven digs and twin sister Sarah Green added six digs.

Alex Burgess-Chrost (2 kills) and Michaela Garrity (7 digs) led Mass. Maritime.

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Anna Maria College senior Sandy Acosta (Lawrence, MA) led all players with a match-high nine kills as the visiting AMCats defeated Pine Manor by set scores of 25-17, 25-15, and 25-9 for a 3-0 victory on Saturday afternoon in Chestnut Hill, MA.

Anna Maria hit .333 as a team, putting down 28 total kills while also collecting a staggering 17 service aces in the straight set victory. With the win the AMCats move to 2-15 overall on the season while Pine Manor drops to 3-7 with the setback.

Pine Manor was led by freshman Michelle Cole (Quincy, MA) who collected a match-high 10 digs and a team-high six kills for the Gators.

Acosta put down six of her kills in the first set of the day to set the tone for Anna Maria with a 25-17 opening set victory. For Pine Manor, sophomore Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL) registered all five of her kills in the opening set but the Gators were unable to rally past the visiting AMCats. Mann also finished with eight digs and five assists.

In the next two sets, Anna Maria received at least one kill from six different players en route to 25-15 and 25-9 victories. Junior Kayla Cummings (Auburn, ME) finished with seven kills of her own while Anna Maria setter Samantha Parker (Athol, MA) dished out 22 assists on the afternoon.

Pine Manor will look to regroup next weekend when the Gators travel to Westfield, MA for a tri-match featuring Westfield St. and Mass. Maritime. Anna Maria will be back in action on Tuesday night when they travel back to Boston to take on Simmons.

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass.-- Sophomore Destiny Mann (Orlando, Fla.) registered 13 kills, 13 digs and nine set assists as Pine Manor overcame a six-point fifth set deficit to post a 3-2 non-league college volleyball victory over Massachusetts Maritime by game scores of 25-13, 19-25, 25-19, 13-25 and 16-14 in a match played Wednesday evening at the Clean Harbors Athletic Center.

The visiting Gators (3-6) took a 2-1 lead into the fourth set only to see the host Buccaneers (1-15) even matters with a 25-13 triumph to force the deciding set, and after Pine Manor jumped out to a quick 3-0 edge, Massachusetts Maritime scored 10 of the next 11 points to take a 10-4 lead. The visitors crept back to within a pair at 11-9 before forging a 13-13 tie, and after the hosts came back at match point to even matters again at 14-14, kills by Mann and freshman Michelle Cole (Quincy, Mass.) provided the Gators with the deciding points.

Cole added 12 kills, 11 set assists and five digs in the win for Pine Manor, which also received five kills, five service aces and eight digs from sophomore Natasia Franklin (Windsor, Conn.). Sophomore Samira Lopes (Boston, Mass.) chipped in with three kills and nine digs for the Gators, who also received eight digs from freshman Carline Kirksey-Almond (Lowell, Mass.).

Senior Alex Burgess-Chrost (Leominster, Mass.) notched nine kills, 13 digs and four service aces in the setback for Massachusetts Maritime, which also received five kills each from juniors Ashley Button (Southfield, Mass.) and Michaela Garrity (Tiverton, R.I.) as well as sophomore Meghan Weir (North Andover, Mass.). Garrity added 12 digs for the Buccaneers, who also received a combined 26 set assists from sophomore Deb Langley (Abington, Mass.) and freshman Kelsey Black (Plympton, Mass.).

Massachusetts Maritime hosts Becker in a non-league outing and MCLA in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference encounter as part of a tri-match on Monday morning at the Clean Harbors Athletic Center beginning at 11:00 a.m., while Pine Manor hosts Anna Maria in a non-league match on Saturday afternoon in Chestnut Hill, Mass. beginning at Noon.

Thanks to Mass. Maritime Athletic Communications

Elms College senior outside hitter Christina Martin (Chicopee, MA) smashed a match-high 11 kills and sophomore libero Caitlyn Larvey (Greenfield, MA) dug a match-best 15 balls to help propel the Blazers to their first victory of the season. With the win Elms improves to 1-12 overall while Pine Manor moves to 2-6 on the season.

Martin was the catalyst for Elms’ offensive output, flooring 11 kills on 17 hits with just three miscues to hit at a .471 clip for the match. Freshman outside hitter Alexandra Mack (Wilbraham, MA) added eight kills, followed by sophomore middle hitter Christine Searles’ (Tolland, MA) six.

Leading 2-0 in the match, Elms built a 22-17 lead in the third set before an attacking error allowed Pine Manor to pull to within four at 22-18. From there, a kill by Mack and a Gators’ hitting error set the score at 24-18 before Martin rose up for her 11th kill of the match to seal the sweep and the Blazers’ first win of the 2012 season.

For the Gators, Alie Johnston (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) added seven assists, Mann dug a team-best 12 balls, and Phalogne Pierre (Boston, MA) added three assisted blocks in the losing effort.

The Gators return to action this Saturday when they host Saint Joseph's Brooklyn at 12 noon at Pine Manor Gymnasium.

Box Scores: Presque Isle | New Rochelle

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Pine Manor swept both matches of a non-conference tri-match on Saturday, September 22 at Pine Manor Gymnasium in Chestnut Hill, MA. In the first match, Pine Manor rallied from down a set to defeat Me. - Presque Isle, 3-1. In Pine Manor's second match of the day, the Gators once again rallied, this time after dropping the second set, to secure a 3-1 victory over New Rochelle. The pair of wins brings Pine Manor to 2-5 overall on the season.

Match One vs. Me. - Presque Isle:

Senior Alie Johnston (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) finished with a team-high seven kills and also finished with five service aces to lead the Gators to a 3-1 victory. Sophomore Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL) anchored the Pine Manor defense, finishing the match with a team-high 13 kills while also putting down four aces of her own. Freshman Betzy Maysonet-Urbina (Jamaica Plain, MA) had a team-high six aces as the Gators recorded 18 as a team. For Presque Isle, sophomore Randi Kaplan (Embden, ME) finished with a team-high 15 digs while Elizabeth Kofstand (Presque Isle, ME) and Leslie Theriault (Enfield, ME) tied for the team lead with six kills. 

Match Two vs. New Rochelle:

Pine Manor took a one set to none advantage before the Blue Angels rallied behind nine service aces in the second set to tie the match at one set apiece. Johnston once again led the way for the Gators finishing with a team-high nine service aces and tying with Mann for the team-high in kills with seven. Freshman Michelle Cole (Quincy, MA) was the team leader in digs with 10 as Pine Manor once again took a 3-1 victory.

Pine Manor will return to action on Tuesday evening when they travel to Chicopee, MA to take on the Elms College Blazers.

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Becker College Volleyball picked up its first win of the season, topping Pine Manor 3-0 on Thursday evening at Pine Manor Gymnasium in Chestnut Hill, MA. The Hawks were led by eight kills from sophomore outside hitter Danielle Robbie (Bellingham, MA) as they improved their record to 1-9. Pine Manor drops to 0-5 with the setback.

In the first set, the teams were neck and neck until Becker junior Jacqueline Chila (Monroe, CT) stepped to the service line and delivered five consecutive service aces to pull Becker ahead to stay. Chila finished with a match-high eight service aces, helping the hawks to collect 14 as a team in the match. Chila ‘s efforts at the service line in the first set helped lead the Hawks to a 25-19 set victory.

In the second set, Pine Manor raced out to an early 6-0 advantage behind the serving of senior Alie Johnston (Winnipeg, MB, Canada). However, Becker came storming back to tie the set at 10-10 and would move on to win by another 25-18 score thanks to three more aces from Chila and a pair of kills from both Robbie and junior Angela Jankowski (Webster, MA).

In the final set, Becker would put away the Gators by a 25-16 margin. The Hawks put down nine kills and only committed two errors in the final frame and were able to take advantage of several PMC errors to take command in the final game and close out the match, 3-0.

For Pine Manor, Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL) had a team high 12 digs, while Johnston and freshman Michelle Cole (Quincy, MA) tied for the team high in kills with four apiece.

Pine Manor will now look to Saturday as the Gators will host a tri-match featuring the College of New Rochelle and Me. – Presque Isle. Becker will play Eastern Nazarene and Babson this Saturday in a tri-match at Eastern Nazarene.

CAMBRIDGE, MA -- Lesley University scored the first 14 points of the day and Pine Manor was unable to rally as Lesley received six kills each from Megan Ortwein and Alyson Finbow to take a 3-0 victory Saturday in non-conference women's volleyball play at the Nicholas Athletics Center.

Ortwein (Easton, PA/Shanghai American) totaled six kills with no errors on nine attempts for a scorching .667 hitting percentage, leading all players. Finbow (Fair Lawn, NJ/Fair Lawn), meanwhile, threw down six kills with only one error on eight swings for a hearty .625 average, adding a match-high three solo blocks as the Lynx improved to 2-3.

For Pine Manor, Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL/Cypress Creek) tied for match-best honors with six kills and seven digs, but the Lynx hit .000 as a team in falling to 0-4.

The Lynx sprinted out to a 14-0 lead behind Ortwein's career-high six service aces, all coming in the set's first 13 points. A Betzy Maysonet-Urbina (Jamaica Plain, MA/Madison Park) ace made it a 16-8 game, but Pine Manor would pull no closer in the Lynx 25-14 victory.

With leading hitters Ortwein and Danielle Johnson sitting out, the middle set was markedly closer, as two Lynx errors tied the set at 15-15. Clinging to an 18-17 lead, Lesley scored the set's final seven points behind a pair of aces from freshman Donna Niosi (Quincy, MA/Quincy), pulling away for a 25-17 win.

One of Maysonet-Urbina's team-high three service aces pushed the Gators out to a 6-2 lead to open the third. Lynx senior Kaitlyn Miller (Leeport, PA/Schuylkill) answered with two aces and Ortwein added two kills in an 8-0 run that gave Lesley the lead for good at 10-6 as the Lynx coasted to a 25-18 triumph.

Pine Manor will be back in action on Thursday night when the Gators host Becker at 7:00 p.m.

Special Thanks to Lesley Athletic Communications

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Pine Manor Volleyball dropped both games of a non-conference tri-match at Saturday at Mitchell College's Yarnall Gym in New London, CT. Pine Manor's record now falls to 0-3 early in the 2012 season.

In the first match of the day, the Gators took on the hosts from Mitchell College. After dropping the first two sets of the match (25-12, 25-15), Pine Manor fought back to take the third set with a 25-19 victory. The Gators would keep it close in the fourth set but would ultimately drop a 3-1 final to the Mariners. Sophomore Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL) finished the match with a team-high eight kills. Senior Alie Johnston (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) and freshman Michelle Cole (Quincy, MA) each finsihed with five kills. Johnston also recorded 13 assists.

In the second match of the day, Pine Manor had no answer for Albertus' Kelsey Pendagast as she finished the with a match-high 12 kills, helping to lead the Falcons to a 3-0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-10) victory over the Gators. For Pine Manor: Mann, Cole and sophomore Phalogne Pierre (Boston, MA) each recorded four kills in the setback.

Pine Manor will return to action next weekend when the Gators take on local rival Lesley College at 1:00 p.m. in Cambridge, MA.

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Wentworth junior Michelle Hobbs (Northwood, NH) led all players with 8 kills, as the visiting Leopards topped Pine Manor three sets to none in the Gators’ 2012 season opener. Pine Manor freshman Michelle Cole led the Gators with a team-high 4 kills in the setback.

Wentworth opened the game on a big run as senior Julie Rahilly (Nashua, NH) put down three consecutive kills to give the Leopards the early lead. With Wentworth leading, Pine Manor would battle back, but ultimately come up short as Hobbs and Rahilly helped pace Wentworth to 25-20 set victory.

In the second set the visitors were helped by a series of Pine Manor errors that helped them race out to a 13-1 advantage. From there, Wentworth cruised to a 25-10 set victory.

Trailing 24-18 in the final set, Pine Manor chipped away scoring three consecutive points to pull within 24-21. However, a hitting error by senior Alie Johnston (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) gave the Leopards the final put they needed to take the 25-21 set victory and the 3-0 match victory.

Pine Manor will now travel to New London, CT for a tri-match on Saturday. The Gators will take on Mitchell College in their opening game at 11:00 a.m. before doing battle with Albertus Magnus in their second match. Wentworth will head to Nashua, NH to take on Mount Ida and Daniel Webster College in a tri-match, their first match is at 12:00 noon.

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Pine Manor College has named Alyssa Gerrish Head Volleyball Coach, it was announced today by Director of Athletics John Griffith.

A three-sport athlete in Volleyball, Basketball and Softball at Cardinal Spellman High School in Brockton, MA, Gerrish was captain of both the volleyball and softball teams during her senior season and has since returned to the volleyball program to serve as a coach in various capacities , most recently serving as the Junior Varsity Head Coach during the 2010 season.

As J.V Head Coach, Gerrish also served as an assistant with the varsity program, organizing team workouts and practices throughout the season to help the Cardinals to a 16-8 overall record during the 2010 season. Prior to working with the J.V. and Varsity programs, Gerrish served as the head coach of the Cardinal Spellman freshmen team in 2009.

In 2011, Gerrish served as the Sports Camp Director at the Skyhawks Sports Academy , managing the coaching staff at the camp while organizing drills and schedules to teach a variety of sports.

Gerrish was also a standout softball player in both high school and college. As a member of the C.W. Post (Long Island) Softball team from 2006-2009, Gerrish helped the Pioneers to back-to-back East Coast Conference Championships in 2007 and 2008 as well as back-to-back appearances in the Division II Softball College World Series.

A 2010 graduate of Bridgewater State University with a degree in Criminal Justice, Gerrish currently works at Spectrum Health Systems and resides in Hanover, MA.

Thanks to an undefeated month of September and 14 wins at season’s end, Pine Manor Volleyball enjoyed its most successful season in ten years in 2011. The Gators earned the second-highest win total in the history of the program -- the most since the 2001 Gators won 18 games in the regular season before earning a trip to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) semifinals.

The 2011 season got off to a fantastic start for Pine Manor as the Gators made their way through September with an undefeated 9-0 record. The Gators began the season with four straight home matches, cruising past Mitchell, New Rochelle and Lesley and earning a five set victory over Wentworth in the opening two weeks of the season.

“Our team consisted of a lot of new, young players, and they did a great job of executing and securing a lot of wins right from the start,” said Pine Manor Head Coach Mike Murphy. “They displayed a lot of control and consistency for such a young group.”

The Gators faced their first test in the second game of their second tri-match of the season. After defeating Lesley 3-0, a team that had defeated Pine Manor 3-1 in the previous season, Pine Manor faced a two sets to none deficit against visiting Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT). However, the young Gators rallied back taking the next two sets, 25-22 and 25-21, before capturing the deciding game 15-11.

The match versus WIT served as a coming-out party for three freshmen, as classmates Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL) finished with 11 kills and 15 digs, Amy Keokanlaya (Walls, MS) tallied a match-high 22 digs while also collecting five service aces, and Kayla Ulery (Goose Creek, SC) added 8 kills of her own.

In rallying to defeat Wentworth, Pine Manor also relied on some familiar faces, turning to its upperclassmen to lead the way. The team’s lone senior, co-captain Jennifer Gross (Coral Springs, FL), finished the match with a team-high .220 hitting percentage, while junior co-captain Alie Johnston finished with a team-high 14 kills and sophomore Megan Patch (Bethpage, TN) had a match-high 39 set assists.

The team also recieved a major boost from sophomore Ashley Carusone (Nashua, NH) as the second year starter stepped into a role as the teams second middle hitter with little experince playing the position. After spending last season as an outside hitter, Carusone started every game for the Gators as a middle hitter in 2011.

"I'm proud of Ashley who stepped in and moved to MH this year - not her natural position, said Murphy of the second year starter who is also a standout for the Pine Manor soiftball program. "But, the team needed a player there and she stepped up to accept the challenge."

Having passed its first test of the season, the Gators then easily defeated Becker for their first road win of the season. Pine Manor then turned its attention to its GNAC opening tri-match versus Saint Joseph (CT) and local rival Mount Ida. For the second straight weekend, the Gators would find themselves in a five-set battle, this time against Mount Ida. And for the second straight weekend, Pine Manor would walk away with a victory.

After topping St. Joseph (CT) in the opening match of the day, Pine Manor would take the first two sets from Mount Ida. While it appeared that the Gators would cruise to straight-set victories in both of its opening conference matches, Mount Ida had other plans. The Mustangs rallied to take the third set 25-22 and the fourth by a score of 25-20. However, in the decisive the fifth set the Gators raced out to the lead and put away the Mustangs 15-6.

Through the opening weekend of the conference season, Pine Manor was 7-0 and 2-0 in the GNAC. The performance of Mann (pictured left) -- with nine kills versus Saint Joseph (CT) and 13 kills versus Mount Ida -- helped the freshmen from Orlando, FL finish the week with a team-high .317 hitting percentage, 26 kills, 23 digs, and 8 services aces over three matches, earning her Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Rookie of the Week honors.

The Gators capped off September with consecutive home wins over Elms and Regis in front of loud and supportive crowds at Pine Manor Gym.

“It was nice to see the early success of our team draw more fans to our games, and we certainly want to thank all of them for their support,” said Murphy, expressing appreciation for the support of the student body and Pine Manor community.

PMC finished the month of September undefeated for the first time in the history of the program. But moving into October presented the Gators with new challenges, including the top-ranked teams in the GNAC.

Pine Manor took its undefeated record to Northfield, VT for a tri-match versus host Norwich and Emerson. After dropping a 3-0 decision to Norwich, the Gators also fell in three straight sets to Emerson, the eventual GNAC runner-up and a team ranked in the top-15 in the New England volleyball coaches’ poll at the time.

“The month of October proved to be tougher because we began playing many of the higher-ranked teams in our conference,” said Murphy. “But we still continued on and recorded a lot of important accomplishments.”

The Gators got back in the win column with back-to-back home victories over Mass. Maritime and Daniel Webster. Perhaps no match of the season was more exciting than the Saturday matinee versus Daniel Webster, as Johnston and Mann both put down 13 kills to help Pine Manor to a 3-2 victory in a closely contested match with the Eagles.

Pine Manor would then split its next GNAC tri-match, defeating Albertus Magnus before falling to eventual conference champion Rivier. Sitting at 3-3 with seven conference games remaining, Pine Manor turned its attention to an October 15 tri-match in Chestnut Hill, during which the Gators had a chance to gain valuable ground in the race for a GNAC playoff spot.

Unfortunately, the Gators would begin the tri-match with a heartbreaking five-set loss to Saint Joseph (ME). While Pine Manor was able to rebound in the second match and defeat Anna Maria, the loss to Saint Joseph’s (ME), after leading two sets to none, saw Pine Manor remain at .500 at the end of the day.

“The loss against Saint Joseph's Maine was a heartbreaker,” said Murphy, “and I felt like our team never quite got back on track after that loss.”

After the weekend, Gross (pictured right) was named the GNAC Player of the Week for October 17. She finished the week with a conference-best 57 kills in 4 matches, including a total of 35 during the October 15 tri-match, including a season-high 18 versus Anna Maria. Gross finished the season with a team-leading 222 kills and a .347 hitting percentage. Her hitting percentage helped to rank her among the top-50 (36th overall) in the nation for NCAA Division III at the end of the season.

Pine Manor managed only one more win following the October 15 tri-match: a 3-0 sweep of Southern Maine. However, that win included two more milestones for the 2011 season. In the second set of the match, Patch recorded her 1,000th assist on a kill by Gross, helping to lead PMC to a 10-0 non-conference record in 2011.

With Pine Manor facing four eventual GNAC playoff teams in its final five matches, the Gators were unable to secure another conference victory, despite a strong showing versus Johnson & Wales and a furious comeback on the road at Simmons College. In the defeats to JWU and Simmons, the Gators still took sets from two opponents who had shut them out in the previous season and weren’t eliminated from the playoff race until a 3-0 loss to Lasell on the final day of the regular season.

“Unfortunately, we did not make it to the playoffs, which was one of the teams goals, but I am very excited to end the season with a winning record,” said Gross following the season. “This season was the best season I had here at Pine Manor.”

Despite being unable to capture a playoff spot, Pine Manor made strong strides forward as a program. The team also made a strong effort to support the nationwide ‘Dig Pink’ initiative as part of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, raising several hundred dollars and sporting pink shirts for the matches on October 15. The team also wore red bandanas as a tribute to Boston College graduate Welles Crowther, a victim of 9/11 who helped to save at least a dozen people before losing his own life.

“I was proud to see our commitment to worthy causes like Dig Pink grow, and to see our team wearing the red bandanas in honor of a 9-11 victim and hero. I am also very proud to have seen our team essentially rise from a team that had only won a single game in 2009 to win 10 games last year and then 60 percent of our matches in 2011, said Murphy. “Earning the most wins since the 2001 season -- the most in a decade -- is a huge accomplishment for this program.”

Box Scores: Lasell | Suffolk

CHESTNUT HILL, MA—Pine Manor dropped both games of a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) on Saturday, October 29, 2011. The Gators dropped a 3-0 decision to Lasell College before suffering a 3-1 setback to Suffolk University. Saturday was also senior day for PMC's lone senior Jennifer Gross (Coral Springs, FL). Gross recorded 24 kills on the day to finish the season with a team-high 222 kills.

In the first match, Gross and freshmen Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL) each recorded 9 kills but Pine Manor was unable to capture a set from visiting Lasell. The Gators fell into early holes in each of the three sets versus the Lasers and found themselves unable to rally from behind. Gross also had a team high 10 digs in the first match. With the straight set decision (25-23, 25-15, 25-15) and the victory over Pine Manor, Lasell clinched a berth in the GNAC tournament.

In the second match of the day Lasell defeat Suffolk, 3-0. During the match, Lasell senior Meghan Crozier (Ballston Spa, NY) recorded her 3,000 career assist during the Lasell vs. Suffolk match today. Three points later, Lasell senior Jenna Lynn Geary (Marion, MA) recorded her 1,000 career dig.

Despite 15 kills from Gross, Suffolk defeat Pine Manor in the final match of the day. Junior Alie Johnston (Winnipeg, MB) finished second for PMC with 12 kills in the match. During the first match versus Lasell, Johnston also recorded her 500 career kill for the Gators. Freshmen Amy Keokanlaya (Walls, MS) had a team-high 22 digs. While, Mann and sophomore Ashley Carusone each finished with 15 digs respectively.

Pine Manor responded in the second set, taking a 25-20 victory to tie the match. In the final two sets the teams went point for point as Johnston and Gross each put down more kills as the match went on. However, Suffolk would rally to close out both the third and the fourth set by 28-26 scores and take the match. For PMC, sophomore setter Megan Patch (Bethpage, TN) finished the match with 42 assists.

Pine Manor finishes the season with a 14-9 overall record, finishing 4-9 in GNAC play. For the Gators, the 2011 win total is the highest for the program since the 2001 season when Pine Manor won 18 games.

BOSTON, Mass. — Pine Manor College Volleyball fell to host Simmons College 3-1 (25-20, 25-14, 25-27, 25-19) in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) match on Tuesday evening at the Holmes Sports Center in Boston, MA.

Simmons got out to a fast start, scoring the first eight point of the match following its senior night festivities. However, Pine Manor battled back to close the gap but couldn't overcome the early deficit, dropping the first set 25-20. Junior Alie Johnston (Winnipeg, MB) had a team high 11 kills for Pine Manor while also hitting .440 in the match.

In the second set, the Sharks once again ran out to a big lead at 10-0. However, this time Pine Manor was unable to rally to close the gap as the Gators got no closer than nine while dropping the second set 25-14. Simmons was lead by senior Meaghan Flynn (Laguna Beach, Calif.) who tallied 13 kills. Taylor Nisbet (Dartmouth, Mass.) and Kelly Last (West Haven, Conn.) each added nine and eight kills, respectively.

Down two games to none, the Gators found their rhythm in the third game, Johnston and senior Jen Gross (Coral Springs, FL) helped Pine Manor to rally past Simmons and take a 27-25 victory in the third set. Gross finished the night with 9 kills. Pine Manor freshmen libero Amy Keokanlaya (Walls, MS) recorded 14 digs for the Gators as Pine Manor extended the match to a fourth set. 

Pine Manor carried the momentum from the third game into the fourth, taking the lead to open the set. However, Simmons would rally and break a 14-all tie to grab a 25-19 set victory and a 3-1 match victory. 

Pine Manor will close out the regular season when it hosts Lasell at 11:00 a.m. and Suffolk at 3:00 p.m. The game will also be Senior Day for Gator co-captain Jen Gross.

BOSTON, MA-- After dropping the first two sets to Johnson & Wales (JWU), Pine Manor rallied for a third set victory before dropping a 3-1 decision on Saturday, October 22, 2011 during a Great northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC)  tri-match at the Jean Yawkey Center in Boston, MA. Pine Manor was then defeated 3-0 by host Emmanuel College in the final match of the day. 

Pine Manor dropped a closely contested match to JWU, 3-1 (25-19, 25-21, 22-25, 25-14). JWU freshmen Alyssa Drapeau led all players with 19 kills while also totaling 16 set assists and adding two digs.  Pine Manor Freshmen Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL) and Senior Jen Gross led the way for Pine Manor with eight kills each. Mann also had a team high eight digs while sophomore Megan Patch (Bethpage, TN) notched 24 set assists and had five digs

In the 3-0 setback to Emmanuel, Pine Manor was led by 7 kills and 7 digs from Mann, while Patch dished out 17 assists and recorded 7 digs.

Following Saturday's results, Pine Manor is now 14-6 overall and 4-6 in conference play. The Gators will next travel to Simmons College on Tuesday night, October 25 for a 7:00 p.m. match with the Shark

Photo Courtesy Wayne Matthews-Stroud, 2011

Box Score

GORHAM, ME- Pine Manor sophomore setter Megan Patch (Bethpage, TN) recorded her 1,000th career assist as the Pine Manor College Gators defeated the University of Southern Maine 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-20) in a non-conference match Tuesday night at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham, Maine.

Patch (left) reached the milestone in the second set of the night when she set up senior Jen Gross (Coral Springs, FL) for a kill that gave the sophomore her fifteenth assist of the match and number 1,000 in her career. Patch had a match-high 24 assists, leading a Gator offense that hit .320 as a team. Junior Alie Johnston (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) had 11 kills and eight digs for the Gators while Gross had 10 kills. Johnston also had a team high 8 digs.

Freshmen Amy Keokanlaya (Walls, MS) had a match-high 6 services aces helping PMC to collect 17 service aces in the straight set victory. With the win, Pine Manor improves to 14-4 on the season while also finishing the non-conference part of its schedule with a perfect 10-0 record.

The Gators will return to conference play this weekend when they make a short trip to Emmanuel College for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tri-match on Saturday, October 22. Pine Manor will face Johnson and Wales at 2:00 p.m. before playing host Emmanuel at 4:00 p.m.

CHESTNUT HILL, MA-- Pine Manor College Volleyball's Jennifer Gross (Coral Springs, FL) has been named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Volleyball Player of the Week for the week of October 17, 2011.

The senior captain of the Gators finished last week with a team high 57 kills in four matches to help Pine Manor improve to 13-4 overall on the season. Gross put down 14 kills in a win over Albertus Magnus and 8 kills in a loss to Rivier during a Columbus Day tri-match on Monday, October 10. She then followed that with a 17 kill performance in a 3-2 loss to Saint Joseph's (ME) before putting down a season-high 18 kills versus Anna Maria.

Gross hit .331 over four matches during the week while also collecting a team-high four solo blocks (7 total blocks) to go along with 7 service aces.

Gross and the Gators will return to action tonight when they travel to Gorham, ME to take on the University of Southern Maine at 7:00 p.m.

CHESTNUT HILL, MA— Pine Manor defeat Anna Maria College in the second game of a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tri-match, 3-1 on Saturday, October 15, 2011. In Pine Manor’s first match of the day, Saint Joseph’s College (ME) rallied to overcome a two sets to none deficit to defeat Pine Manor.

On the day, Pine Manor was led by Senior Jen Gross (Coral Springs, FL) who had a total of 35 kills in both matches. The Gators played a marathon match with Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in the first match of the day. Behind several emphatic kills from Gross, Pine Manor jumped out to an early lead a took the first set 25-16. IN the second set, Saint Joseph’s closed the gap but the Gators were still able to capture a 25-22 set victory.

In the third set, the tide turned in favor of the visiting team as the Monks rallied to take lead from Pine Manor and take a 25-19 set victory. With the score now 2-1, Pine Manor and Saint Joe’s locked in to what was the most memorable set of the match, battling back and forth to a 25-25 deadlock. However, it was the Monks once again who would rally to grab the victory 27-25.

In the fifth set, Pine Manor jumped out to an 8-2 lead when the teams switched sides as Gross and junior Alie Johnston (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) helped Pine Manor to retake the momentum. Johnston finished the match with 14 kills.

Once the teams switched sides, Saint Joseph’s closed the gap again, just as they had done in the third set. Once Saint Joe’s had the lead they never looked back in talking a 16-14 set victory and a dramatic five set win.

Freshmen Amy Keokanlaya (Walls, MS) finished the first match with a team high 29 digs while sophomore setter Megan Patch (Bethpage, TN) had 40 set assists to go along with 14 digs of her own.

In the second match of the night, Gross again carried the Gators. The senior from Coral Springs, FL hit .500, finishing the game with a team high 18 kills in the Gators 3-1 victory. Freshmen Kayla Ulery (Goose Creek, SC) finished with 10 kills to finish second on the team while Keokanlaya was once again the team leader with 18 digs.

Following today’s results, Pine Manor now sits at 13-4 overall and 4-4 in conference play. The Gators will return to action on Tuesday night when they travel to take on the University of Southern Maine at 7:00 p.m.

Visit our Dig Pink Webpage!, Click Here to: DONATE TO THE SIDE-OUT FOUNDATION

CHESTNUT HILL, MA—This Saturday, October 15, 2011, Pine Manor College Women’s Volleyball will host a Dig Pink day to support the Side-Out Foundation’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Rally. The event will take place during the Gators’ Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tri-match versus Saint Joseph’s College of Maine and Anna Maria College beginning at 11:00 am at Pine Manor Gymnasium in Chestnut Hill, MA.

This fall, thousands of teams from around the country will be participating in The Side-Out Foundation’s Dig Pink National Breast Cancer Awareness Rally. Middle school, high school and college teams will promote breast health education in the community as well as raise funds to further research (Below: The Gators during last season's Dig Pink match).

Dig Pink events give spectators the opportunity to become involved by making donations to the cause and “pinking out” events (i.e. donning pink to show their support). The Gators will wear special pink uniforms during Saturday’s tri-match in a show of their support for the Side-Out Foundation. All fans in attendance are encouraged to wear pink on Saturday. Attendence for Saturday's tri-match is free. All fans are encouraged to make a donation to the Side-Out Foundation.

If you would like to make a donation today, or are unable to attend Saturday’s tri-match please visit: http://www.side-out.org/application/ous/fundraising_page/46767 to make a donation on behalf of Pine Manor College Women’s Volleyball and to help the Gators reach their fundraising goal!

Pine Manor College and the Side-Out Foundation thank you for your support!

The proceeds from all donations will benefit the Side-Out Foundation, a national 501(c)(3) non=profit organization located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

NASHUA, NH -- Pine Manor College split a pair of games during a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tri-Match on Columbus Day, Monday, October 10, 2011. After getting off to a slow start, the Gators took three straight sets from Albertus Magnus College to secure a 3-1 one victory. In Pine Manor's second match of the day, the Gators played well but fell 3-0 to host Rivier College.

Following today's results, Pine Manor now sits at 12-3 and 3-3 in GNAC play. The Gators will return to action next weekend when they host a GNAC Tri-Match as part of reunion weekend on the Pine Manor College Campus on Saturday, October 15, 2011.

Pine Manor also encourages all fans in attendance next Saturday to wear pink as the Gators will "Dig Pink" in support of breast cancer research.

CHESTNUT HILL, MA—Pine Manor rallied from a two sets to one deficit, taking the fourth and deciding fifth set in a tightly contested matinee versus Daniel Webster College on Saturday October 8, 2011 in Chestnut Hill, MA.  With the 3-2 (25-20, 17-25,13-25, 25-21,15-8) victory Pine Manor improves to 11-2 on the season and 8-0 at Pine Manor Gymnasium.

Pine Manor was lead by junior Alie Johnston (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) and freshmen Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL), each of whom finished the match with a team high 13 kills. However, the most impressive player of the day was Daniel Webster's Chelsey Crawford (Westfield, MA) as the Eagles' junior outside hitter finished with a staggering 24 kills, putting down an array of impressive shots throughout the five set match.

The Gator defense was also on display, as Pine Manor collected 74 digs on the afternoon, sophomore Ashley Carusone (Nashua, NH) had a team high 17 digs for the Gators. Pine Manor also showed its strength at the net, registering a season high 7 total blocks.

The Gators got out to an early advantage by taking a tight first set, 25-20. However, the next two sets belonged to Daniel Webster. The Eagles took command as Pine Manor had no answer for Crawford and classmate Samantha HIll (Hudson, NH), who finished second on DWC with 9 kills. Daniel Webster cruised to 25-17 and 25-13 wins in the second a third sets of the match.

In the fourth set, Pine Manor fought back. The Gators pulled away from the Eagles early in the set, taking an early 5-1 advantage. However, the Eagles would close the gap and the two teams played to a 25-21 PMC advantage that was reminiscent of the opening set of the match. For PMC, Mann helped PMC to get to the fifth set thanks to 7 kills in the fourth.

In the final set, Pine Manor's Amy Keokanlaya (Walls, MS) got the Gators out to a strong start helping PMC to an advantage with several strong serves, including an ace. From there the Gators powered past the Eagles with Johnston, Carusone, and senior Jen Gross (Coral Springs, FL) all putting down emphatic kills to secure the victory in front of a small but boisterous crowd at Pine Manor Gym. Gross finished with 8 kills.

The Gators will now have Sunday off before traveling to Nashua, NH to take part in a GNAC Tri-Match versus Albertus Magnus and Rivier College during the Columbus Day holiday on Monday October 10, 2011. Daniel Webster will next host Lesley University on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m.

Chestnut Hill, MA—Pine Manor freshmen Kayla Ulery (Goose Creek, SC) put down a team-high 10 service aces to help Pine Manor defeat Mass. Maritime 3-0 (25-18, 25-9, 25-17) on Wednesday night in Chestnut Hill, MA. The Gators collected a staggering 21 service aces as a team to help improve to 10-2 on the season.

In the first set, Pine Manor struggled to separate itself from the Buccaneers until Ulery went on a serving run, collecting six of her ten aces in the first set, to help Pine Manor grab the 25- 18 opening set victory.

In the second set, Pine Manor played its best set of the night. Led once again by Ulery on the service line, the Gators pulled away and never looked back en route to a 25-9 set victory. For the Gators, senior Jen Gross (Coral Springs, FL) had a team high 8 kills while fellow Floridian Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL) had 7 kills. Mann also had a team-high 3 digs for Pine Manor. While, PMC junior Alie Johnston (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) had 22 sets assists.

In the final set of the night, Pine Manor continued to role, finishing with a 25-17 set victory. With their tenth win of the 2011 season, the Gators matched their win total from 2010.

Pine Manor will return to action on Saturday afternoon in Chestnut Hill when they play host to the Eagles of Daniel Webster College for a match at noon.

NORTHFIELD, VT-- Pine Manor Volleyball dropped its firs two matches of the season on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC)  tri-match in Northfield, VT. The Gators dropped a 3-0 decision to host Norwich University before also falling 3-0 to first place Emerson College.

MORE TO FOLLOW....

CHESTNUT HILL, MA -- Pine Manor senior Jen Gross (Coral Springs, FL) totaled a team high 15 kills and the Gators ran their record to an undefeated 9-0, finishing the month of September undefeated for the first time in school history, after defeating Regis College, 3-0 ( 26-24, 25-19, 25-16) on Wednesday evening in Chestnut Hill, MA.

After falling behind early in the first set, the Gators rallied behind five kills from Gross and 4 kills from junior Alie Johnsotn (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) to take a 26-24 set victory. Johnston finished the match with nine total kills. Johnston also tied with freshmen Amy Keokanlaya (Walls, MS) for the team lead in digs with 10.

From the first set on, Pine Manor took control, hitting .360 in the second set as Gross continued to assert herself both at the net but at the service line as well. The senior from Coral Springs, FL also had a team high seven services aces, three of which came in a 25-19 second set victory. The Gators would then move on to capture a 25-16 third set victory.

For PMC, sophomore Megan Patch (Bethpage, TN) finished the match with 28 set assists and two services aces of her own. While freshmen Kayla Ulery (Goose Creek, SC0, Destiny Mann (Orlando, FL) and sophomore Ashley Carusone (Nashua, NH) all finished the match with 3 kills apiece.

Pine Manor will resume conference play this weekend when it travels to Northfiled, VT for a GNAC tri-match with host Norwich and current GNAC front-runner Emerson College. The Gators as scheduled to take on Norwich at noon before doing battle with Emerson at 2 p.m.

Mann finished the week with a team high .317 hitting percentage helping Pine Manor to a 3-0 record, including a sweep of its first GNAC tri-match of the season. Mann was second on the team with 26 kills, 23 digs, and 8 services aces in three matches last week versus Becker, Saint Joseph (CT) and Mount Ida.

Johnston put down a team high 14 kills, while Gross had 13, and continued her hot start to the season by hitting .481 in the match. Sophomore Megan Patch (Bethpage, TN) had 36 set assists, while junior Ashley Carusone l(Nashua, NH) led the team with 19 digs.

In the first set, the teams were unable to break a set-long deadlock until Elms pulled away with a 24-21 lead. A service error by Johnston secured the first set for the Blazers and put the Gaotrs in a 1-0 hole. The second set was similar to the first, with teams exchanging points, only this time it was Pine Manor that rallied to pull away and take a 25-21 victory.

The third set of the night saw the Gators hit on all cylinders, showing the form that has helped them to their 8-0 mark  in 2011. PMC hit .320 as a team and several emphatic kills by Gross helped the Gators land the 25-16 set victory. In the final set the Gators picked up where the third set left off, only this time it was Johnston who would carry Pine Manor to 25-19 set victory and 3-1 match victory.

Pine Manor will now look to Wednesday as the Gators wil host Regis College at 7 pm at Pine Manor Gym.