Bryn Mawr Box Score
Smith Box Score

WELLESLEY, MA (October 8, 2011) – The Vassar College women's volleyball team won both of its matches to start a run towards winning the Seven Sisters Championships on Saturday afternoon in matches against Bryn Mawr and Smith at Wellesley College.

Behind the play of senior Amy Bavosa, who had 41 kills in two matches and the defensive effort of sophomore Aoife Feighery, who had 47 digs in both matches, Vassar opened play with a 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-23) victory over Bryn Mawr and won its second round match over Smith 3-2 (21-25, 25-27, 25-20, 25-14, 15-11).

The Brewers, now 13-8 on the season, will face Mount Holyoke at 9:00 pm and Wellesley at 2:00 p.m. in continuing play on Sunday.

Vassar 3, Bryn Mawr 1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-23)
Bryn Mawr grabbed an early lead in set one before Vassar fought back to tie the match at 12-12. The squads traded points until a five-point run gave Bryn Mawr a 22-20 advantage, and the Owls held on for a 25-23 win.

Vassar rebounded in the second set, using solid defense and transition offense to build an 18-11 lead. The Owls rallied to within two, at 24-22, but the Brewers held on for a 25-22 win.

Vassar carried the momentum into set three, jumping out to a 15-10 lead at the halfway point. Once again Bryn Mawr surged, but the Owls fell short as Vassar managed a 25-20 victory and a 2-1 lead in the match.

In what proved to be the deciding set, the Brewers built a 20-16 advantage on a five-point serving run from Feighery. The Owls managed to tie the game at 22-22, but Vassar eked out another close win, 25-23.

Bavosa accounted for 21 of Vassar's 53 kills, while freshman hitter Marie Pitre contributed 15 kills. On 77 total attack attempts, that formidable duo made only four attack errors. Junior setter Hilary Koenigs had 44 of Vassar's 46 set assists. Sophomore defensive specialist Feighery had 18 dgis, Bavosa 17 and Pitre 13.

Vassar 3, Smith 2 (21-25, 25-27, 25-20, 25-14, 15-11)
In the closest match of the day, Vassar came from two sets behind to down Smith in a five-set thriller.

Smith inched out to an early lead in set one before a six-point serving series from Bavosa gave the Brewers a 14-11 edge. But the Pioneers responded with two late surges to take the first set 25-21. The Brewers grabbed the early momentum in set two, building a 17-10 lead as they appeared poised to even the match at 1-1. But Smith responded with a late charge, fighting off two set points before taking the set 27-25.

Down 2-0, Vassar re-grouped and built a 14-9 lead in the first half of set three. Smith pulled to within three at 22-19, but could get no closer as the Brewers snagged a 25-21 win. The Brewers then charged out of the gate in set four, establishing a 15-5 advantage in route to a 25-14 victory, evening the match at two sets a piece.

In the fifth and deciding set, Smith pulled out to a 9-6 lead. Vassar answered with tough serving and tougher defense, out-scoring Smith 9-2 for the 15-11 win.

Bavosa led the offensive assault again, with 20 kills. Pitre added 12 kills. Koenigs had 40 set assists and Feighery continued her stellar play with 29 digs. Sophomore Rose Carman set a new career high with 15 digs. The Brewers had a season-high 19 block assists, with junior Cebe Loomis earning a new career high with six and Pitre earning five.