NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The top-seeded Endicott College Gulls swept past the second seeded MCLA Trailblazers, 3-0, to win the ECAC New England Division III championship Saturday afternoon in the Amsler Campus Center Gymnasium.

 

Endicott's Alleigh VandeMerkt was selected as the tournament's most outstanding player as she led the Gulls with 23 assists, 12 digs, and 5 aces in the championship match victory.

 

The Gulls (24-10) earned set victories of 25-22, 27-25, and 25-16 to claim the crown. The turning point of the match came in the second set as Endicott appeared poised to grab a 2-0 lead when they led 24-21 following an MCLA attack error. The Trailblazers (24-11) didn't go quietly as they rattled off four straight points to make it 25-24 in favor of MCLA.

 

Endicott responded with a kill from Tori McIntyre and then the Trailblazers committed back to back errors to give the Gulls the set and an insurmountable lead. They cruised in the third set jumping out to a 21-9 lead and coasting to the ECAC Crown.

 

MCLA was paced by Allison Clark's 11 kills and 13 digs. Angelica Perfido ended with 7 kills for the Trailblazers.  Courtney Parent tallied 17 assists, while Chanielle Enomoto had 15 digs and Brittney Pihl had 11.  Sam Anderson finished with 4 kills and 4 blocks.

 

The Trailblazers wrapped up the best season in school history. The 24 wins are a school record and the season included a 13-game winning streak, which was another program mark. MCLA hosted both the MASCAC and ECAC New England championships for the first time ever as well.

 

The game marked the final contest for seniors Courtney Parent and Angelica Perfido, along with team manager Morgan McCarthy.

 

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - The MCLA women's basketball team dropped their 2015 season opener this afternoon, falling to RIT, 71-50, in the opening round of the Smith College tip off tournament.

 

MCLA will challenge Curry College in the consolation round on Sunday afternoon.

 

MCLA trailed at the break 30-25 and eventually RIT pulled away in the second half. RIT's Jessica Glaz and Tara Lynch each scored 21 points in the victory.

 

For the Trailblazers, they were led by Brayleigh Hanlon's 15 points off the bench. She was the only Trailblazer in double figures.

 

MCLA shot just 34 percent in the game and committed 17 turnovers.

 

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY

WATERFORD, Conn. - The MCLA women's cross country team finished its schedule by competing in the NCAA New England meet held at Connecticut College.

 

The Trailblazers finished in 55th place during the competition.

 

Paige Herzog was the top finisher for MCLA crossing the line in a time of 27 minutes, 39 seconds. Annie Gagnon was next across at 29:47 and Kaitlin Wright was at 30:59.

 

Others competing today were Cat Marceau, Kaitlin Gevry, and Aunna Shamlian.

 

MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY

WATERFORD, Conn. -- The MCLA men's cross country team wrapped up its fall campaign by running in the NCAA New England Championships held at Connecticut College in Waterford.

 

The Trailblazers finished 49th in the meet.

 

Christopher Gamble led all Trailblazer runners with a time of 28:50 which placed him in 231st place amongst the large field. Ryan McMahon was next across the line in the 8k race at 29:30.

 

Also competing for MCLA today were Drew Weisse, Adam Sleezer, Avery Woodbury, Michael McAndrew, and Matthew Aceto.