Worcester, MA --- Junior Mariza Fair (Bronx, NY) paced Clark with 12 kills and 19 digs to help lead the Cougars to the 2008 Worcester City Tournament Championship in a 3-0 win over Assumption. Clark's victory snapped a five-year run for Assumption, who had laid claim to the trophy's bragging rights since 2002. With the win, the Cougars have captured their seventh overall championship since the tournament began in 1984.
Clark was also led by Emily Visone (West Hampstead, NY) who tallied 14 digs while Nichole Lopez (Alameda, CA) added 25 assists. Freshman Kristin McGinty (Gypsum, CO) finished the contest with five kills and three blocks.
Consolation Match - Worcester State 3, WPI 2
With a Worcester 2-1 series advantage (25-15, 21-25, 25-15), the Lancers built up a 15-5 cushion in the fourth set. The lead, however, would evaporate as the Engineers would take the set, 28-26, and force a rubber-game. The Blue and Gold would win it 15-13.
The Lancers were led by junior Lauren Saylor's (Swansea, MA) 14 kills while sophomore Michelle Maas (Halifax, MA) registered 17 digs. Freshman Brittany Stoddard (Orange, MA) notched 34 assists for WSC.
Freshman Joan Porambo (Jim Thorpe, PA) led the Boynton Hillers with 21 digs while senior Christina Grant (Mansfield, MA) finished with eight blocks (13 overall in the tournament). Becca Holmberg (Madison, CT) also dished out 18 assists.
Clark 3, Worcester State 2
In the morning game, Clark dropped the opening sets 23-25 and 23-25, but then rallied to win three straight (25-14, 25-19, 15-6) and the match, 3-2, over host Worcester State.
Fair tallied a match-high 24 kills to go along with five aces. Lopez added 47 assists while freshman Amira Tranchell (Falmouth, MA) notched 11 kills. Viscone registered 12 digs while Trancell also finished with three blocks.
Saylor led the way for the Lancers with 15 kills while Mass tallied 12 digs. Stoddard dished out 22 assists while freshman Kim Holden (S. Attleboro, MA) added three aces.
Assumption 3, WPI 0
In the second game, Assumption defeated WPI, 3-0 (25-6, 25-21 and 27-25). Aimee Drainville (Rockville, RI) and Samantha Lupinksi (Waltham, MA) led the way for the Greyhounds combining for 15 kills while Kelly Blumenauer (Islip Terrace, NY/East Islip) notched 11 digs. Assumption setter Marilisa Strand (Sarasota, FL) also finished with 28 assists.
For the Engineers, Kathryn Bomba (Chelmsford, MA) led the Crimson and Gray with 17 digs and two aces while Holmberg tallied seven kills. Nikki Croteau (Wilbraham, CT) added nine assists while Grant rejected five volleyballs.