Posted: Oct 28, 2011
Mustangs Win Region XIX Championship
Bethlehem, Pa. � The Montgomery County Community College Mustangs traveled to Northampton Community College to participate in the NJCAA Division III Region XIX Tournament as the 1 seed.
The day started at 10:00 a.m. with a match up against 4 seed, the Bergen County College Bulldogs from Paramus, N.J.
"Our earlier matchup in the season against Bergen resulted in a four set win, with each game being close," commented Mustangs Head Coach Misti Volpe. "I knew all the matches today would be very competitive and the point spread might be in the 20 point range for each game. We spent a lot of time talking about our mental game and challenging our girls to better themselves."
Volpe's preparation with her team paid off right away in the semi-final round. The Bulldogs-Mustangs contest ended in a three set win for the Mustangs, with set scores of 25-15, 25-20 and 25-15. The team hit an average of .227 across the match, led by Briana Rodriguez with a .460. The Mustangs collected 16 aces in the effort, six by Nikki Reichert, four by Brianna Musselman and two by Mel Angelucci. Angelucci led the team with 11 digs and Kaitlynn Franks racked up 24 assists.
In the Championship Final, the Mustangs were set up to face 3 seed, the Passaic County Community College Panthers, after the Panthers upset 2 seed Northampton Community College in the semifinal. Again, the Mustangs pulled through with a three set win, with set scores of 25-12, 25-21 and 25-22.
Coach Volpe was proud of her team's performance. "Passaic came into the matchup a little drained after a grueling five set match with Northampton, but as the match progressed they picked up their energy. They really pushed us and challenged us mentally. I'm very proud of our girls for staying strong and pulling out the win in three sets."
The Mustangs were led by Brianna Musselman, who tallied 11 kills and earned a .280 hitting average. Marina Weckner followed behind with .214 and six swings on 14 attempts. The average leader for the match, however, was Jenna Hayes who had four kills on nine attempts, an average of .444.
Kaitlyn Franks contributed 26 of the 28 assists in the match and two players earned double digits in digs. Mel Angelucci led the defense with 16 digs, while Nikki Reichert earned 10. Also contributing defensively was Weckner with four blocks.
The Mustangs will host the District H Finals on Saturday Oct. 29 at 12:00 p.m. Davidson County Community College will travel from North Carolina to compete in a best of five match for the rights to head to the NJCAA Division III National Championship Tournament in Rochester, MN on November 11, 2011.
"I am so excited to have this opportunity in our first year of competition in the NJCAA," said Coach Volpe. "We are ready for the challenge and are pumped up to see how far we can go with this talented and spirited group of athletes."
The day started at 10:00 a.m. with a match up against 4 seed, the Bergen County College Bulldogs from Paramus, N.J.
"Our earlier matchup in the season against Bergen resulted in a four set win, with each game being close," commented Mustangs Head Coach Misti Volpe. "I knew all the matches today would be very competitive and the point spread might be in the 20 point range for each game. We spent a lot of time talking about our mental game and challenging our girls to better themselves."
Volpe's preparation with her team paid off right away in the semi-final round. The Bulldogs-Mustangs contest ended in a three set win for the Mustangs, with set scores of 25-15, 25-20 and 25-15. The team hit an average of .227 across the match, led by Briana Rodriguez with a .460. The Mustangs collected 16 aces in the effort, six by Nikki Reichert, four by Brianna Musselman and two by Mel Angelucci. Angelucci led the team with 11 digs and Kaitlynn Franks racked up 24 assists.
In the Championship Final, the Mustangs were set up to face 3 seed, the Passaic County Community College Panthers, after the Panthers upset 2 seed Northampton Community College in the semifinal. Again, the Mustangs pulled through with a three set win, with set scores of 25-12, 25-21 and 25-22.
Coach Volpe was proud of her team's performance. "Passaic came into the matchup a little drained after a grueling five set match with Northampton, but as the match progressed they picked up their energy. They really pushed us and challenged us mentally. I'm very proud of our girls for staying strong and pulling out the win in three sets."
The Mustangs were led by Brianna Musselman, who tallied 11 kills and earned a .280 hitting average. Marina Weckner followed behind with .214 and six swings on 14 attempts. The average leader for the match, however, was Jenna Hayes who had four kills on nine attempts, an average of .444.
Kaitlyn Franks contributed 26 of the 28 assists in the match and two players earned double digits in digs. Mel Angelucci led the defense with 16 digs, while Nikki Reichert earned 10. Also contributing defensively was Weckner with four blocks.
The Mustangs will host the District H Finals on Saturday Oct. 29 at 12:00 p.m. Davidson County Community College will travel from North Carolina to compete in a best of five match for the rights to head to the NJCAA Division III National Championship Tournament in Rochester, MN on November 11, 2011.
"I am so excited to have this opportunity in our first year of competition in the NJCAA," said Coach Volpe. "We are ready for the challenge and are pumped up to see how far we can go with this talented and spirited group of athletes."