NEW LONDON, Conn.--Senior Keriann Mason match highs with 21 kills and 26 digs leading fourth-seeded Coast Guard to a 3-1 win over fifth-seeded WPI in the quarterfinals of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) tournament.
The Bears dropped the first game 25-23 before winning 25-21, 25-18, 25-18.
Coast Guard went unbeaten at home (13-0) for the second straight season and won its school-record tying 26th consecutive home match dating back to the 2010 season.
The Bears, who advance to the semifinals for the 12th straight season, improve to 18-13 overall and will take on top-seed and host Wellesley on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the semifinals.
Wellesley beat the Bears twice this season 3-1 at Wellelsey on Sept. 18th and 3-0 at Bowdoin on Oct. 13th. The Blue also beat Coast Guard 3-1 in the NEWMAC tournament semifinals last season at Springfield.
In the opening game, WPI led 18-16 before Coast Guard scored four of the next five for a 20-19 lead. The Bears led 23-21 and appeared to be closing in on the opening game win before WPI scored the final four to win 25-23.
In the second game, Coast Guard scored four straight to take a 12-8 lead, WPI scored three straight to close to within 12-11, but the Bears answered with three straight for a a 15-11 edge and won 25-21.
WPI led 11-10 in the third game before Coast Guard scored four straight for a 14-11 advantage. The Bears led 19-16 and scored six of the next eight for the 25-18 win.
Coast Guard led 18-15 in the final game and took control with five straight points behind the serving of freshman Maggie Hine for a 23-15 lead before winning 25-18.
Junior Kelsey DePorto had 13 kills and a match-high four blocks while Hine had a match-high 42 assists in the win. Junior Samantha Marmolejo added 20 digs while senior Karen Matic had 14 digs to go with her six kills. Senior Catherine Walker added eight kills and three blocks in the win.
Senior Bailey Sarber had 13 kills while classmate Belinda Nwagbara added 12 kills for WPI, which has never appeared in the NEWMAC semifinals.
Senior Alyssa Fidanza led the Engineers with 30 assists and 17 digs while seniors Elyssa Dorenfeld and Lauren D'Angelo added 16 and 15 digs respectively. The Engineers finish the season with a record of 19-9.
Head Coach Eric Snyder's Post Game Comments

April 30, 2013
Aylene Ilkson Named Women's Volleyball Coach

March 11, 2013
Snyder Resigns as Volleyball Coach

November 19, 2012
Mason, Walker, Matic Honored by NEWVA

November 15, 2012
DePorto Named to NEWVA Honorable Mention Team

November 7, 2012
Brazier Named to NEWMAC All-Academic team

November 6, 2012
Trio of Bears Named to All-Conference Team

November 5, 2012
Anderson ('11) Wins Age Group in Ironman 70.3 Miami

November 3, 2012
Bears Fall in NEWMAC Semifinals

October 31, 2012
Bears Advance to 12th Straight NEWMAC Semifinals

October 27, 2012
Volleyball Falls to Springfield; Will be 4th Seed in NEWMAC Touney

October 23, 2012
Bears Win on Senior Night; Secure Home Tourney Game

October 22, 2012
Bears to Honor Three Seniors Tonight

October 20, 2012
Volleyball Splits a Pair on the Road

October 16, 2012
Bears Win 24th Straight Home Win

October 15, 2012
Volleyball team to Host Little Bear Night

October 13, 2012
Bears Drop Pair on the Road

October 12, 2012
Volleyball Suffers 3-1 Defeat to No. 25 Bowdoin

October 9, 2012
Bears Win Fourth Straight

October 8, 2012
Mason Named NEWMAC Player of the Week

October 6, 2012
Bears Sweep Salve Regina 3-0; Push Streak to 23

October 4, 2012
Bears Hold Off Roger Williams; Win One for Johann

October 2, 2012
Bears to Host DIG PINK Game; Honor Johann

October 2, 2012
Q & A With Two-Sport Athlete Catherine Walker

October 2, 2012
Bears Run Home Win Streak to 21

September 29, 2012
Bears Split at Ducks Invitational

September 28, 2012
Bears Late Rally Falls Short; Settle for Split

September 25, 2012
Bears Fall 3-1 at MIT

September 22, 2012
Volleyball goes undefeated in Bear Classic

September 21, 2012
Volleyball Wins Bear Classic Opener

September 18, 2012
Volleyball Falls at Wellesley

September 15, 2012
Volleyball Runs Home Win Streak to 17

September 11, 2012
Volleyball sinks WPI 3-1

September 8, 2012
Volleyball Rolls Past Merchant Marine

September 5, 2012
Volleyball Wins First Match of Season at Colby Sawyer

September 1, 2012
Volleyball Drops Two at Elmhurst Invitational

August 31, 2012
Volleyball Falls to Pair of Ranked Teams on Opening Night

August 29, 2012
2012 Volleyball Season Preview

August 17, 2012
Bears Receive Votes in AVCA Preseason Top 25 Poll