Buzzards Bay, MA --- Led by first-team selections junior Becky Lebel (Millbury, MA) and sophomore Vicki O'Brien (Canton, MA), Worcester State had four student-athletes who have received a nod to the All-MASCAC women's volleyball team in a vote by the leagues seven head coaches.
Senior Joanne Grenier (Orange, MA) and freshman Alyssa Jasper (Rockland, MA) were both on the second team while head coach Bernie Chase was honored by his peers as the Turfer Co-MASCAC Coach of the Year.
Lebel, a middle blocker, paced the squad offensively as she was sixth in the MASCAC in total kills (203), seventh in hitting percentage (.238) and 10th in average kills (2.01). Her total kills were also the fifth-highest total put up since volleyball statistics were first recorded in 2003. Lebel notched a .319 hitting clip in six conference games with 58 kills (144 attempts) and 68 digs.
Lebel, a second-team All-MASCAC honoree in 2009 as a freshman, was second on the team in digs (250) as she also had 23 aces and 32 blocks (16 solo). In her three seasons, Lebel has totals of 403 kills and 392 digs.
O'Brien, who primarily was the squad's libero, was a leader on the squad defensively. O'Brien ended the season tied for third in the conference in total digs (367) while she was fourth in average (3.40). In addition to leading with 37 aces, O'Brien helped reset the team mark total digs (1,556) and average (14.01) in a season.
O'Brien has 603 digs in just two fall semesters at WSU and her total this year is the second-highest single-season total.
Grenier, who came into the season as a back row player, was moved to setter and has shined in the position without any prior experience. Grenier was third in the MASCAC in both total assists (627) and average assists (5.97). Grenier's 901 career digs are the second-highest total ever – just six off of tying the program mark held by Lauren Saylor (2006-09).
Jasper was one of three freshmen named to the 12 member all-conference team. Jasper ended her season second on the team in kills (186) while she also chipped in with 104 digs and 25 aces. Jasper's total kills are the second-most ever put up by a first-year player.
Chase shared MASCAC Coach of the Year honors with Framingham State's Richard Casali. Chase helped direct the squad to a 4-2 slate in conference play and to their fifth consecutive conference tournament.
The Lancers (13-17) earned the third-seed and upset the #2 Rams, 3-2, in the MASCAC semifinals. It marked the second time in Chases seven years as head coach that WSU had reached the conference tournament championship game as they fell to Westfield State, 3-0. Chase is just six wins shy of 100 for his career (94-124).
MASCAC All-Conference Women's Volleyball Team