NORTHAMPTON - The Williams College women’s volleyball team advanced to the championship of the Hall of Fame tournament Saturday afternoon, before falling to champion MIT 3-0 (30-26, 30-25, 30-28). With a 3-2 (26-30, 30-25, 23-30, 30-28, 15-11) win over Brandeis earlier in the day, head coach Fran Vandermeer tied Pat Manning for the most career wins at Williams (218).
The two matches were rematches of earlier William’s defeats. While the Ephs were able to avenge an earlier loss to Brandeis, they couldn’t overcome a strong MIT squad in the championship. MIT defeated the Ephs on September 22nd in the semifinals of the MIT Invitational, 3-2.
In the Brandeis match, the Ephs found themselves down 2-1 in the match, and 20-12 in the fourth game before rallying to win. In the comeback, sophomore Melissa Pun, and first years Emily Avis and Nicole Ballon-Landa led the Ephs. Pun posted 19 kills and 17 digs, while Avis tallied 40 assists and 13 assists and Ballon-Landa recorded 7 kills, 3 service aces, and 5 blocks.
Sophomore Chelsea Kubal continued to post well balanced attacks on both offense and defense, with 10 kills and an impressive 26 digs. Also contributing were junior captain Riki McDermott (11 digs), sophomores Whitney Hitchcock (9 kills, 3 blocks) and Alicia Cahlan (6 kills), and first year Eleanor Levine (4 kills).
"We needed a five-game win," said Vandermeer. "This was a hard fought, come-from-behind win and it will help us build our confidence down the stretch."
Against MIT, the Ephs received contributions from Avis (33 assists, 26 digs), Pun (11 kills, 11 digs), Kubal (16 digs, 6 kills), Cahlan (5 kills), McDermott (13 digs), Hitchcock (4 kills), Ballon-Landa (7 kills, 4 blocks), and sophomore Andrea Scioscia (18 digs).
"This was a well played championship match between two strong defensive teams," said Vandermeer. "I'm proud of how we fought and we just fell short to a very consistent MIT team."
Despite the loss in the championship, the Ephs claimed second place in a field of 16 teams and had two players named to the all-tournament team. Nicole Ballon-Landa garnered her first all-tournament accolades of her career, while Melissa Pun was named to an all-tournament team for the third time this season (MIT Invitational, Nazareth Invitational).
The Ephs now finish the regular season with four straight conference matches. This tough stretch begins Wednesday, Oct. 24, with a home match against Middlebury at 7 p.m.
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Taconic High Names Top Students of the Class of 2026
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Taconic High School Principal Matthew Bishop has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian of the class of 2026.
They will speak during the graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12, at 4 p.m at Tanglewood in Lenox.
Gavin O'Donnell, son of Kevin and Colleen O'Donnell of Pittsfield, has been named valedictorian with a grade average of 103. Hunter Bentz, son of Heidi Bentz of Pittsfield, has been named salutatorian with a grade average of 102.4.
Throughout his high school career, O'Donnell has exemplified the values of leadership, commitment, and excellence that define the Taconic community. He achieved high honors all four years and made significant contributions to both the school and the wider community. He was an active member of the Link Crew, Green and Gold, and Class Council, just to name a few of his activities.
A dedicated athlete, O'Donnell played soccer and baseball all four years and was named captain of the varsity soccer and baseball teams both junior and senior years. His commitment to service extended beyond athletics, as he volunteered with Unified Games and was a math tutor at Taconic. He has also been an active part of Pittsfield Soccer Club, where he has helped
referee youth soccer games and assisted in getting the fields ready for game days.
He has earned several awards, including being a member of the National Honor Society, the John and Abigail Adams Award, and being an AP Scholar and an AP Capstone Graduate.
O'Donnell plans to pursue a degree in finance at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he will continue to play baseball and hopes to excel as a student.
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