North Adams, MA- The visiting Westfield State volleyball team received 40 assists from Ally Rega as she led the offensive attack for the Owls in a 3-1 MASCAC win over the MCLA Trailblazers this evening in the Amsler Campus Center Gym.  The Owls improve to 4-17 overall, but are now 3-1 in conference play.  MCLA drops to 6-13 on the season and is 0-4 in the conference.

The Owls had to work hard in the opening two sets as they pulled out 25-18 and 25-22 set wins.  Westfield had a chance to sweep the sets, but MCLA rallied in the third set to earn a 27-25 win to force a fourth set.  The Owls got off to a fast start in the fourth set and never looked back as they took the match 25-10 to earn the win.

Westfield was paced by Ally Rega offensively.  The setter collected a match best 40 assists and added 17 digs to complete the double double.  Hanna Simpkins came off the bench to record a match high 13 kills for the Owls.  Brianna Starkey was right behind her with 12 of her own.  Ainsley MacLeod ended with 11 kills for the Owls.  Defensively, they were paced by Jess Haradon's match high 26 kill effort.  WSU placed four others in double figure digs as Rega (17), Natasha Belardo (15), Cait Medeiros (13), and Lynn Shattuck (12) all complemented the defensive effort.

MCLA was led by Tessa Sestito's big night.  She recorded a season best 31 assists to go along with 20 digs to pace the Trailblazers.  Ahna Schlaefer ended with 9 kills and 9 digs for MCLA.  Natasha Stewart led the team with 23 digs while Celine Manigbas, Kelsey LaFreniere, and Sara LaFreniere each had double figure digs.

MCLA is off until Saturday when they head to Bridgewater State to face the Bears in conference play.

-- story courtesy MCLA sports information