Gulls Fall in NCAA Regional Semifinals
Nov. 10, 2006
CAMBRIDGE, MA - The 5th seeded Endicott College Gulls fell to the top-seeded United States Coast Guard Academy Friday afternoon in the NCAA Regional Tournament Semifinals on the campus of MIT in Cambridge, MA.
The Gulls came out of the gates quickly, taking an early 3-1 lead. The Bears would respond by taking eight of the next nine scores, building a five point game one advantage. After an EC timeout, the Gulls were able to battle their way back into game, with middle hitter Sara Moore (Guilford, CT/Guilford) leading the charge for Endicott. However the Bears of the USCGA would pull away late, taking game one 30-17.
Game two started with the teams exchanging the first six points. Coast Guard would eventually settle down, feeding off the energy gained in game one, building a 15 to 5 lead midway through the second frame. The Bears were able to dictate the pace of game two, doubling up Endicott 30-15.
Much like in game two, the Bears were able to build a quick 15-5 advantage in the third game. Coast Guard's combination of size and strength was too much for the Gulls, propelling the Bears into the Regional Finals on Saturday with a 30-10 game three win over Endicott.
Pacing the Gulls was senior Sara Moore, who slammed in nine kills for Endicott. Commonwealth Coast Conference Player of the Year Meghan Hall (Santa Cruz, CA/Aptos) dished out 23 assists, 14 digs and two aces in the losing effort. Defensive specialist Brittany Nolan (Monroe, CT/Masuk) led the back row with 15 digs.
With the win, the USCGA improves their record to 25-2 while Endicott ends with a mark of 26-13. Top-seeded Coast Guard will face the winner of the MIT (No.2) - Amherst College (No. 3) match on Saturday evening at 7:00PM at MIT.
The future looks bright for Endicott, as they return 11 players next season, including the conference player of the year Meghan Hall and second team all-CCC players Hayley Janelle (Madbury, NH/Oyster River), Steph Wiese (Higganum, CT/Haddam-Killingworth), and third-teamer Brittany Nolan. However it will be difficult for Coach Tim Byram to replace seniors Sara Moore and Katelyn Smith (Ballston Lake, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake). Smith placed fourth on the team this season with 229 digs, while leading the squad as one of the team's captains. Moore, a two-year captain, leaves Endicott as the program's all-time kills leader. Moore paced Endicott this season with 350 kills in just 90 games.