Bracket

After going a perfect 7-0 in MASCAC action, Westfield State has earned the top seed in this week's 2023 MASCAC Volleyball Tournament which begins with the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

The quarterfinals begin on Tuesday, November 7 with #3 MCLA hosting #6 Fitchburg State at 6 pm then #4 Framingham State hosts #5 Bridgewater State at 7:15. In the semifinal round on Thursday, Nov. 9, #2 Worcester State will host the highest remaining seed at 6 pm while top seed Westfield State gets the lowest remaining seed at 7 pm. 

The two remaining teams from the semifinals will then meet on Saturday, Nov. 11 for a shot at the MASCAC Tournament crown and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. 

The Owls earned a first round bye and the top spot with a 7-0 league mark. Bridgette McAndrews registered 245 kills (2.55 per set), 346 digs (3.60 per set), 32 service aces and 15 assists over her 26 matches. Her total kills and digs per set are in the top five of the league at the end of the regular season.

Grabbing the other bye into the semifinals with the second seed is Worcester State. The Lancers were 6-1 at the end of conference action. Camryn Burgio led the way for the squad with 510 digs (5.20 per set) and 52 service aces which were in the top three of the MASCAC. She also collected 69 assists and 34 kills on the season. 

MCLA has the third seed and will host a quarterfinal contest. The Trailblazers were 5-2 in MASCAC play. Anais Badio finished with 218 kills (2.69 per set) and a .350 hitting percentage, all in the top five of the league. She also tallied 98 digs, 33 aces, 23 assists and 21 total blocks. 

With the other hosting duties is Framingham State in the fourth spot. The Rams had four wins during the conference slate. Leading the team was Hailey Sanders who ended the regular season in the top fifth of the MASCAC in kills (323), kills per set (3.30), hitting percentage (.339) and solo blocks (30). She also collected 16 block assists, 27 digs and six assists. 

Rounding out this year's tournament field are Bridgewater State and Fitchburg State with the fifth and sixth seed. For the Bears, Bethany Votta finished the regular season with 360 assists, 6.21 assists per set, 109 digs and 41 service aces. Her assists, assists per set and aces were in the top 10 of the league. For the Falcons, Stephanie Sardella was atop the MASCAC in several categories, including kills (212) and kills per set (2.55) while registering 230 digs, 39 aces and seven total blocks. 

During the 2022 MASCAC Tournament, Westfield State defeated Worcester State, 3-1, to not only win the conference crown but earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament with the conference automatic qualifier.