United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Volleyball - Bears Fall at Wellesley; Settle for 4th Seed

WELLESLEY, MASS.--(10/27/07)--Wellesley closed out its regular season and celebrated Senior Day with a three-game sweep of Coast Guard (30-14, 30-26, 30-25). The win lifts the Blue to 24-6 on the season and 8-1 in NEWMAC competition, which secures for the Blue the #2 seed in the conference tournament. The Bears drop to 20-5 overall and 6-3 in conference, seeding them 4th in the post-season tournament.

Wellesley jumped to an early lead in game one, using a four-point serving run from libero Emily Peters to take a 10-4 lead. Coast Guard battled back to tie the score at 12, but Wellesley dominated the rest of the set, scoring 18 of the next 20 points for a 30-14 win.

Game two followed a similar script as the Blue once again took an early lead, but the Bears' Corinne McCormack cut the lead to 18-17 with a seven-point serving run. Coast Guard took a brief lead at 21-19, but the Blue finished strongly for a 30-26 win and a 2-0 lead.

Wellesley tried to put the third game away early, taking a 6-2 lead, but the Bears once again used McCormacks' serve to battle back into the match for a 9-7 lead. Wellesley tied the score at 10, then gradually pulled away. Despite a late surge from Coast Guard, the Blue took the set 30-25 for the 3-0 sweep.

Middle hitter Nicole Gurr led Coast Guard at the net with 12 kills, followed by McCormack with nine and Carin Sweeney with seven.

McCormack, who recorded three blocks, also tallied 12 digs, while Jessica Anderson added eight digs and Gurr and Megan Durbin (chipped in seven a piece. Setter Anne Staley dished out 23 assists in the loss.

The Blue take the court again on Tuesday night, when they host #7-seed Babson College at 7:00 p.m. in a first-round of the NEWMAC tourament. The Bears return to action at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday as well, when they host #5-seed Smith in a first round match.