Volleyball Captures Hall of Fame Invitational Silver Bracket Title

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – The 2010 Volleyball Hall of Fame Women's Invitational concluded today, with Middlebury College and Bridgewater State University winning their respective brackets.

A total of 16 teams participated in the 19th edition of the tournament, which was hosted by Smith College and Mount Holyoke College. Prior to the beginning of the event, the teams were ranked based on their results thus far this season. They were then broken up into two eight team brackets. The top eight squads competed in the "Gold Bracket", while the next eight played in the "Silver Bracket".

Fourth seeded Bridgewater State was the surprise winner in the Silver Bracket. The Bears made a dramatic comeback in their championship win over third seeded Union College. They trailed 2-0 before taking the final three sets to finish off the Dutchwomen by a score of 3-2 (23-25, 19-25, 25-19, 25-23, 16-14). Prior to that contest, the Bears knocked off top seeded Westfield State University, 3-1 (25-18, 25-21, 19-25, 25-21).

Bridgewater State was paced by senior middle hitter Natalie Cohen(Marstons Mills, Mass.) who took home with Most Valuable Player honors. Cohen tallied 14 assists, seven kills and five digs and one ace in the win over Union.  She averaged 6.0 assists, 8.0 digs, 5.0 kills and 3.0 aces in the Bears' three wins over the two-day tournament. 

Junior middle hitter Shelly DePina (New Bedford, Mass.) registered a season-high 19 kills to go along with seven digs and six solo blocks in the win over Union.  Senior outside hitter Kristina Campbell (Taunton, Mass.) added eight kills, five digs and an ace, while freshman setter Melanie Appleman (Hyannis, Mass.) chipped in with 28 assists, six digs, three kills, three aces and a block.

Senior outside hitter Julie Clerc (Acushnet, Mass.) finished with six kills to increase her career total to 998.  Clerc also notched eight digs and three aces.

In the Gold Bracket's championship match, top seeded Middlebury breezed to a 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-21) triumph over sixth seeded Bowdoin College. With Tournament Most Valuable Player Lauren Barrett leading the way, the Panthers were flawless throughout the tournament. They won all three of their matches 3-0. Second seeded Amherst College topped fourth seeded Tufts University 3-1 (25-23, 25-18, 12-25, 25-18) to grab third place overall.