Babson 3, WPI 1 

Box Score

Worcester, MA --- Senior hitter Carlen Palau (Silver Spring, MD) accounted for game-highs of 18 kills and 15 digs to help Babson secure a NEWMAC Tournament bid by defeating host WPI 3-1 in conference volleyball action on Saturday afternoon.  The Beavers took the match by games scores of 30-18, 30-13, 28-30 and 30-19. 

With the win, Babson improves to 11-11 overall and 3-6 in NEWMAC play.  The Beavers, seeded seventh in the NEWMAC Tournament, will face second-seeded Wellesley in a first round match on Tuesday evening.  WPI sees its season come to an end with a 11-17 overall record, and 1-8 mark in NEWCAC play. 

Babson freshman middle blocker Tina Kaindl (Niederteuten, Austria) narrowly missed a double-double, amassing nine kills to go along with 12 digs.  Setter Mandi Blackmer (Honeoye, NY) dished out a team-best 30 assists for the Beavers while teammates Ryan DePaoli (Kennesaw, GA), Kathryn Alea (Southborough, MA) and Rebecca Ryszik (Beacon Falls, CT) all were credited with ten digs on the day. 

Becca Mattern (Rockville, CT) paced the WPI offensive attack with 10 kills while senior Kate Woodman (Fairfield, CT) added nine.  The Engineers received a match-high 33 assists from Nikki Croteau (Wilbraham, MA), who along with Becca Holmberg (Madison, CT) and Kathryn Bomba (Chelmsford, MA), registered 13 digs. 

Before the match, WPI honored seniors Chelsea Casavant (Hooksett, NH) and Woodman.  In addition to Woodman’s nine kills the two combined for 12 digs on the day.