October 18, 2008
Eagles Sweep Grabs First Place, Clinches Post Season Bid
 

Nashua - Backed by strong net play from the New Hampshire duo of junior Kristina Riege (Concord, N.H.) and freshman Amanda Wilson (Merrimack, N.H.), the Daniel Webster College women's volleyball team swept Newbury College and Elms College as part of a NECC tri-match Saturday at Vagge Gymnasium.

The wins continued to set new program records for victories in a season as the Eagles improved to 12-6 overall. In improving to 5-1 in NECC play (with one match remaining), the Eagles clinched a berth in the NECC championship tournament, only the second playoff appearance for the program ever and first since 2003. The squad momentarily jumped into first place by a half game over both Elms and Lesley University (both 4-1 with two matches remaining).

In the opener, Rieger notched a match high 12 kills and added two service aces and two solo blocks as the Eagles bested Newbury, 25-15, 25-22, 25-18. Wilson added seven kills, five aces and three digs, while Caitlyn DiPierro dished out 17 assists.

After Elms swept Newbury in the middle match of the day, the Eagles followed suit with a 25-20, 25-22, 25-15 victory over Elms.

Wilson led the attack with 11 kills, three aces and three digs, while Rieger followed with eight kills, 10 digs, and two solo blocks.

Dipierro chipped in with 20 assists, four blocks, and three aces, while Jess Booth (Westminster, Mass.) added four aces and three digs.

The Eagles return to action Tuesday night when they visit Rivier College at 7:00 p.m.

the victory gave the Eagles their fourth victory of the season in the New England Collegiate Conference and guaranteed the program its first conference berth ever as the top six teams earn bids. The Eagles can now finish no lower than

The squad still has one NECC matchup remaining next weekend against winless Bay Path.

Daniel Webster now turns its attention to intracity and longtime rival Rivier College. The Eagles will tangle with the Raiders Tuesday night at Rivier's Muldoon Gymnasium beginning at 7:00 p.m.