March 2007 News Archive ::

March 26, 2007 - The Men's Volleyball Team captured a North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) tournament bid for just the second time in program history. The bid hinged on a must needed victory over Johnson & Wales University on Saturday. The Saints came out strong, winning the first game, 30-22. The Wildcats prevailed in the second game, reversing the numbers and winning, 22-30. Emmanuel fought back and took the next two games, 30-14 and 30-20. Senior outside hitter John Bluhm (Ventura, CA) led the way for the Saints, hitting .382 and recording a match-high 17 kills and 10 digs. Rookie hitter Michael Townsend (Beaverdam, VA) notched 15 kills and 13 digs, while senior middle blocker Trevor Blanchet (Dracut, MA) added 8 kills and 2 solo blocks. Freshman setter Taylor Lowe (Malibu, CA) totaled a team-high 19 digs, while dishing out 46 assists in the win. Saturday's win helped the Saints improve to 14-10 on the season and 6-4 in NECVA-New England. Emmanuel will travel to Rochester, NY on Friday (3/30) for the NECVA conference play-offs hosted by Nazareth College. The Saints are seeded 14th in the 16-team tournament. Emmanuel will take on the 3rd-seeded Royals of Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, VA) on Friday night at 8:00 pm. The Royals are currently (19-10) overall. The winner of Friday night's match will play on Saturday vs. the (11th seed) Hunter College/(6th seed) SUNY New Paltz winner.

The Softball Team split with Emerson College on Sunday in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference opening double-header. Emmanuel took the early game, 5-3, but lost the late game, 8-0. Senior Lisa Donehey (Hull, MA) pitched the win for Emmanuel, giving up just 7 hits and striking out 2 of her 27 batters faced. The Saints trailed 2-1 in the top of the 3rd, when freshman centerfielder Samantha Luther (Carlisle, MA) hit a single to start the Saints' rally. Senior catcher Christine Sampson (Hull, MA) reached on an error and junior 3rd baseman Jen Walsh (West Springfield, MA) was walked to load the bases. Freshman left-fielder Erin McSheffrey (Woburn, MA) stepped to the plate and smashed a grand slam to give Emmanuel a 5-2 lead. The Lions managed to steal one more run in the bottom of the 3rd, but the Saints held on for the 5-3 win. This was Emmanuel's first victory this season. The Saints will be back in action on Friday in Providence, RI at Johnson & Wales University at 3:00 pm.

The Men's and Women's Track & Field Teams opened up the outdoor season with some solid performances at the Connecticut College Invitational on Saturday. Sophomore Philip Meagher (Amherst, MA) broke the outdoor school record in the shotput on his final throw with a 33'10.25" heave. He followed that up with a new school record in the javelin (126'5"). Sophomore Cat Lariviere (Windham, NH) broke the school record in the 1500 meters, with a time of 5:21.47, while junior Rob Allen (Plymouth, MA) added the outdoor 200 meter school record to his resume (23.49).

Several athletes achieved their personal bests in their respective events. Senior Brett Adell (Greene, ME) improved on his outdoor best in the shot put by over three feet (33'7.25). Junior Emily McCaffrey (East Greenwich, RI) had a strong performance in the 1500 meters, running the event in 5:32.33. Freshman Kevin Ly (Portland, ME) finished 6th in the triple jump (39'10.75"). Freshman Robert Littleton (Plymouth, MA) improved on his best in the 200 meters (25.00). Freshmen Patrick Welton (Derby, CT) and Megan Reichel (Mashpee, MA) improved on their indoor bests in the long jump, while freshman Brian Pecchia (Saco, ME) started off his outdoor collegiate career with a strong performance in the javelin (120'0").

The Saints will compete next Saturday (3/31) at the Tufts University Snowflake Classic. For complete results from the Connecticut College Invitational go to coolrunning.com.

Raiders Rally Past Saints

March 23, 2007 - The Emmanuel Men's Volleyball Team fell to conference rival Rivier College on Thursday night in four games. The Saints captured a win in the first game, 30-28, but the Raiders rallied to win the next three sets, 30-21, 30-17, and 30-28. Rivier snapped a 6-match win streak that the Saints had put together, dating back to March 1st. Emmanuel was led by senior outside hitter John Bluhm (Ventura, CA). Bluhm knocked in 14 kills to go along with his 7 digs and 3 aces. Freshman outside hitter Michael Townsend (Beaverdam, VA) came away with 11 kills and 10 digs, while junior opposite Brendan Ellis (Chelmsford, MA) tallied 10 kills in the effort. Freshman setter Taylor Lowe (Malibu, CA) dished out a team-high 40 assists in the match.

The Saints will host their final regular season matches on Saturday. Emmanuel will take on NECVA newcomer Southern Vermont College at 12:00 pm and then Johnson & Wales University at 4:00 pm. The three seniors (Dan Campagna, Trevor Blanchet and John Bluhm) on the Saints' squad will be honored prior to the start of the Johnson & Wales match. Emmanuel may still have a shot at the NECVA conference tournament. However, wins in both matches on Saturday are crucial for the Saints' play-off hopes.

Today's Softball game at Pine Manor College has been postponed until April 19th at 3:00 pm. The Saints will begin Great Northeast Athletic Conference play on Sunday (3/25) at Emerson College's Rotch Park at 12:00 pm.

Saints Stun MIT in 5-Game Thriller

March 19, 2007 - The Men's Volleyball Team hosted a non-conference tri-match on Saturday. The Saints breezed past Wentworth in the opening match, sweeping the Leopards 30-17, 30-18, and 30-17. Senior middle blocker Trevor Blanchet (Dracut, MA) led Emmanuel, hitting .556 with 12 kills in 18 attempts. Freshman outside hitter Michael Townsend (Beaverdam, VA) added 10 kills and 8 digs, while freshman setter Taylor Lowe (Malibu, CA) dished out a match-high 29 assists and recorded 6 digs in the win.

It was in the Saints' second match of the day, when the excitement built within the Yawkey Center. Emmanuel faced MIT for the third time this season. In both prior meetings, the Saints had fallen to the Engineers in three games. MIT (24-5) was ranked 11th nationally in last week's American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III poll. The Saints jumped out to an early lead, defeating the Engineers in the opening two sets, 30-26 and 30-23. MIT bounced back and took the next two games, 30-18 and 30-26. Emmanuel took an early lead in the fifth game, before MIT came back to tie it at 14 all. Emmanuel's junior opposite Brendan Ellis (Chelmsford, MA) served the final two points for the win, including a big-time ace for the Saints' 16th point. Senior outside hitter John Bluhm (Ventura, CA) notched 16 kills and 15 digs. Ellis slammed down 13 kills and tallied 5 service aces. Townsend chipped in with 11 kills and 13 digs, while junior middle hitter Sophanna Lout (Boston, MA) added 11 digs. Rookie setter Taylor Lowe came away with 43 assists in the match.

The Saints improved to 12-9 overall and remain 4-4 in NECVA-New England. Emmanuel will host the Mustangs of Mount Ida College on Tuesday night (3/20) at 7:00 pm.

The Softball Team was scheduled to play in the annual Colleges of the Fenway Tournament on Tuesday and Thursday this week, but those games have been canceled due to poor field conditions. The Saints will open up GNAC play on the road this Friday (3/23) at Pine Manor College at 3:00 pm.

Bluhm Notches 1,000th Kill as Emmanuel Edges Elms

March 15, 2007 - Senior outside hitter John Bluhm (Ventura, CA) recorded the 1,000th kill of his collegiate career on Thursday night, when the Emmanuel Men's Volleyball Team defeated the visiting Blazers of Elms College, 3-2. Bluhm entered the match just 3 kills shy of his 1,000th. He reached the highly coveted milestone early in the first game of the five-game match. Bluhm, a four-year starter for the Saints, became just the second player in program history to notch 1,000 career kills.

The Saints jumped out to an early lead taking the first two sets, 30-17 and 30-18. The Blazers fought back and won the second and third games, 30-26 and 30-25. Emmanuel then wrapped up the contest with a 15-5 victory in the 5th set. Freshman outside hitter Michael Townsend (Beaverdam, VA) led the Saints with 19 kills and 13 digs. Townsend hit .412 for the match. Bluhm slammed down 18 kills, while junior opposite Brendan Ellis (Chelmsford, MA) and senior middle blocker Trevor Blanchet (Dracut, MA) combined for 17 kills and 7 blocks. Freshman setter Taylor Lowe (Malibu, CA) tallied a match-high 55 assists in the win.

Emmanuel improved to 10-9 on the season and remains 4-4 in NECVA-New England. The Saints will host Wentworth Institute of Technology and MIT on Saturday (3/17) in a NECVA tri-match. The action begins at 12:00 pm in the gymnasium of the Jean Yawkey Center.

Saints Spike Lasell

March 14, 2007 - The Men's Volleyball Team defeated Lasell College on Tuesday night for the second time this season. The Saints swept the Lasers in three games, 30-26, 30-26, and 30-24. Freshman outside hitter Michael Townsend (Beaverdam, VA) led the way with 16 kills and 10 digs. Junior opposite Brendan Ellis (Chelmsford, MA) knocked in 14 kills and totaled 3 blocks. Senior outside hitter John Bluhm (Ventura, CA) recorded 12 kills and 7 digs, while senior middle blocker Trevor Blanchet (Dracut, MA) and junior middle hitter Sophanna Lout (Boston, MA) chipped in with 6 kills apiece. Freshman setter Taylor Lowe (Malibu, CA) dished out a match-high 49 assists in the win. As a team, the Saints hit .268 for the match and had a passing percentage of 97% with just 2 receiving errors on the night. Emmanuel improved to 9-9 overall and 4-4 in NECVA-New England. The Saints will play at home again on Thursday night (3/15) vs. Elms College at 7:00 pm. Emmanuel will also host a tri-match on Saturday (3/17) with local rivals Wentworth Institute of Technology and MIT. Saturday's action begins at 12:00 pm.

The Softball Team returned from spring training in Fort Myers, Florida. The Saints played ten regular season games during the one week break. Although the team returned winless, the Saints hung tough and kept several of the games close. Emmanuel took both Rockford and WPI into extra innings before falling, 8-7 and 7-2, respectively. The Saints begin play up north next Tuesday (3/20) in the annual Colleges of the Fenway Tournament. Emmanuel will face Wentworth Institute of Technology on Tuesday night at 5:30 pm on the turf field at WIT. The winner of this game will play on Thursday (3/22) vs. the winner of the Simmons/Wheelock match-up. The Saints kick off conference play next Friday (3/23) at Pine Manor College at 3:00 pm.

Saints Stopped in Sweet Sixteen

March 9, 2007 - The Emmanuel College Women's Basketball Team (29-2) was defeated by DePauw University (28-3) in the NCAA Division III sectional semifinals on Friday night, 74-50. DePauw will now advance to the Elite Eight and will take on Calvin College (28-2) on Saturday night (3/10) at 7:00 pm. Calvin defeated the University of Southern Maine (27-3) in the earlier sectional semifinal. The winner of Saturday night's game will earn a berth to the 2007 NCAA Division III Final Four in Springfield, MA next weekend.

DePauw was paced by sophomore guard Cassie Pruzin (Crown Point, IN) with 12 points. Freshman forward Emily Marshall (St. Louis, MO) netted 8 points and grabbed a game-high 10 boards for the Tigers. DePauw out-rebounded Emmanuel, 52-31. The Tigers also hit 17 of 25 attempts from the free throw line vs. Emmanuel's 5 of 10 makes.

DePauw got out to an early lead and the Tigers led the Saints, 41-21, at the break. Emmanuel could not capitalize on their pressure defense and fast-break, which had been the backbone of the Saints' attack for much of the season.

The Saints set a program record this season with 29 wins. Emmanuel also closed out the season with a win-streak of 20 games. The Saints were led by junior guard Jade Paez's (Bronx, NY) 16 points, 6 assists, and 6 steals. Senior forward LaTeisha Johnson (Dorchester, MA) hit for 12 points, pulled down 5 rebounds, and blocked 5 shots. Freshman guard Iman Davis (New Britain, CT) chipped in with 8 points and 7 rebounds in the effort.

Emmanuel Will Host NCAA Sectional Games This Weekend

March 5, 2007 - After winning regional games on Friday and Saturday nights, the Emmanuel Women's Basketball Team is one of just sixteen teams remaining in the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Saints have also received hosting privileges for the sectional games coming up this weekend. The schedule for the sectionals is as follows:

Friday (3/9) Sectional Semifinals:

Calvin College (27-2) vs. Univ. of Southern Maine (27-2) - 5:30 p.m.
Emmanuel College (29-1) vs. DePauw University (27-3) - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday (3/10):

Sectional Final - 7:00 p.m.

Ticket prices:

Adults - $7.00
Seniors/Students/Children - $4.00

Emmanuel Stuns Brandeis; Saints Soar Into Sweet 16

March 3, 2007 - The Emmanuel College Women's Basketball Team (29-1) fought back from an 11-point second half deficit to defeat Brandeis University (20-6) in the second round of the NCAA Division III Northeast Regional, 71-66. The Saints extended their win streak to 20 games.

Brandeis held a solid lead for the entire first half. The Judges' largest lead of the game (13 points) came with 7:32 to play in the first half. Emmanuel battled back in the second stanza and the Saints gained their first lead of the game (50-49) on a jumper by freshman guard Iman Davis (New Britain, CT) with 11:21 remaining in the contest. The Judges re-gained the lead (51-50) on a lay-up by junior guard Jaime Capra (Old Bridge, NJ) with 10:57 to go. It was all Emmanuel for the final ten minutes. The Saints maintained the lead until the final buzzer sounded. Emmanuel's largest lead of 7 points came with 4:49 to play (65-58).

Emmanuel's freshmen combined for 39 points. Rookie Iman Davis led the Saints with a career-high 24 points on 8 for 18 shooting. Davis also tallied 6 steals, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in the win. Freshman forward Tommia Davis (Gloucester, MA) netted 15 points and grabbed 8 boards, while junior guard Jade Paez (Bronx, NY) hit for 10 points and dished out a game-high 8 assists.

The Saints' pressure defense forced 35 Brandeis turnovers and caused the Judges to shoot just 29% from the floor in the second half. Emmanuel was out-rebounded, 49-31, and shot just 59% (16-27) from the line. However, the Saints capitalized, scoring 36 points off the Judges' turnovers.

For Brandeis, senior center Caitlin Malcolm (Winsor Locks, CT) recorded a double-double with 23 points (7 for 9 shooting) and 14 rebounds. Freshman guard Jessica Chapin (Mendon, NY) added 11 points and 5 rebounds, Capra pumped in 10 points and grabbed 8 boards. Brandeis wrapped up the season with an overall record of 20-6.

Emmanuel will now advance to the "Sweet 16." The Saints will take on DePauw University (27-3) out of Greencastle, Indiana on Friday (3/9). The time and location of this game have not yet been determined.

Saints Shut Down Salve; Emmanuel Advances to Round of 32

March 2, 2007 - The Emmanuel College Women's Basketball Team (28-1) knocked off Salve Regina University (22-7) in the opening round of the NCAA Division III women's basketball tournament. The Saints defeated the visiting Seahawks, 80-67, and extended their win-streak to 19 games. Emmanuel will now advance to the round of 32. The Saints will take on the Judges of Brandeis University (20-5) on Saturday night (3/3) at 7:00 pm. The Judges rolled past UMaine-Farmington in the opening game, 90-66. Saturday's second round game will be played in the Jean Yawkey Center on the campus of Emmanuel College.

Emmanuel was paced by freshman forward Tommia Davis (Gloucester, MA). Davis led four Emmanuel players scoring in double-figures with 20 points and 9 boards. Senior forward LaTeisha Johnson (Dorchester, MA) hit for 13 points and blocked 4 shots, while junior guard Jade Paez (Bronx, NY) totaled 13 points and dished out a game-high 7 assists for the Saints. Freshman point guard Iman Davis (New Britain, CT) chipped in with 11 points and 4 assists in the win.

The Saints held a solid 10-point lead for the majority of the game. Salve Regina cut the lead to 8 with 2:57 to go on a hoop by Megan Barry (Plainville, MA). The Saints quickly got the lead back to 12 after two Emmanuel steals followed by transition lay-ups. The Saints then extended the lead to 15, when Tommia Davis converted a three-point play with 1:15 to play. The Seahawks wrapped up the scoring on a jumper by Allison Moen (Yonkers, NY) with 21 seconds remaining, capping off the score at 80-67.

Emmanuel's largest lead of the game came with 16:20 to play, when the Saints led by 17 points. Emmanuel's pressure defense forced 27 Seahawk turnovers and the Saints scored 26 points off their fast-break.

Senior forward Megan Barry recorded a double-double for the Seahawks with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Junior forward Allison Moen tallied 12 points and pulled down 9 rebounds, while junior guard Katie Horan (Webster, MA) chipped in with 10 points in the effort.