Volleyball's Senior Day Victory Earns NEWMAC Tournament Bid
Bailey Sarber
WPI 3, Wheaton 2
Worcester MA --- Bailey Sarber (Westerly, RI) tallied 19 kills and 16 digs to lift WPI to a thrilling 3-2 victory over visiting Wheaton in a key NEWMAC volleyball match-up on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Engineers earn the final spot in the NEWMAC Tournament, qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2005. *WPI finishes in a three-way tie for sixth place with Clark and Smith and will find out its seed in the tournament later on Saturday evening.
The victory improves WPI to 22-7 on the season (3-6 NEWMAC) and is the 100th career win for head coach Alex Temkin. Wheaton concludes its season with an overall record of 18-15 and a 2-7 mark in NEWMAC play.
Becca Holmberg (Madison, CT) also registered a double-double for the hosts, amassing 15 kills to go along with 15 digs. Belinda Nwagbara (Santa Rosa, CA) notched 11 kills to help the cause while Kim Woodward (Clifton Park, NY) handed out a game-best 45 assists. Joan Porambo (Jim Thorpe, PA), who did not have a receiving error in 32 attempts, led all players with 28 digs.
Wheaton, who battled back from 1-0 and 2-1 set deficits, sported a balanced attack paced by Becca Rose's (Sudbury, MA) 41 assists, 11 digs, and two aces. Miranda Howitt (San Francisco, CA) also notched a double-double with 17 digs and 15 kills, while Kristen Hunt (Milford, CT) and Emily Davisson (Carpinteria, CA) each recorded double-digit digs with 23 and 16 respectively. Lauren Kraus (Westboro, MA) made her mark on the afternoon with four blocks and 12 kills and Rachel Vergara (Needham, MA) got in on the action with eight kills.
Prior to the game, Holmberg was honored along with fellow classmate Becca Mattern (Vernon, CT) as part of Senior Day. Wheaton's lone senior Lauren Kraus (Westboro, MA) was also recognized.
*Added late Saturday - After the tiebreakers were applied, the Engineers earned the seventh seed and will travel to second-seeded Wellesley on Tuesday for a 7pm NEWMAC Tournament Quarterfinal match.
Story by Genna Farley- WPI Athletics