SEVENTH HEAVEN: JWU Downs Simmons for Latest GNAC Title Game Victory
Second-seeded Johnson & Wales topped the Sharks in four sets on Saturday.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Courtesy of JWU Athletics Communications
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Johnson & Wales (RI) University women's volleyball team captured its seventh consecutive Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship with a 3-1 win over Simmons University Saturday afternoon at the Wildcat Center.
Senior Emily Corbett was named the Tournament MVP after a 19-dig, 10-assist effort in the championship match, and closed the tournament with 50 digs. She was also named to the All-Tournament team, along with junior Peyton Oliver, who filled the stat sheet with 19 kills, eight digs, and three solo blocks. The win sends the Wildcats back to the NCAA Tournament.
JWU – which won 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, and 25-16 – completely dominated the fourth and decisive set, registering a.467 hitting pct. Overall, the Wildcats received 11 kills and 13 digs from junior Sarah Miller and seven from freshman Daniela Rank, who closed the match with a .700 hitting pct.
Sophomore Kyra Hissner handed out 33 assists and also notched 10 digs for first-year JWU head coach Michael Houlihan, who was a part of 10 Little East Championships as a member of the UMass Boston coaching staff.
The Sharks (18-11) – who were making their first appearance in the GNAC Finals since 2017 – were led by Claire Conners, who threw down a match-high 22 kills.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Camilla Lopez, Lasell
Sydney Racevicius, Rivier
Claire Conners, Simmons
Sydney Iannantuono, Simmons
Peyton Oliver, JWU
Emily Corbett, JWU (MVP)