Worcester, Mass. – For the second time in three years, Clark University has captured the Worcester City Volleyball Tournament.

The Cougars knocked off host Assumption 3-1 in the opening match then defeated NEWMAC rival WPI in the title match.

The win for Clark avenges the Cougars loss to the Engineers a season ago in the title match and snaps a brief two-game slide against WPI.

In the opening match, Clark defeated the Greyhounds behind 14 kills and 15 digs from senior Maritza Fair (The Bronx, N.Y.), who was named to the all-tournament team.

Tournament MVP Kortney Kelley (Barnstable, Mass.) finished with a game-high 19 digs, while freshman setter Rachel Spera (North Hollywood, Calif.) added 28 assists.

Both junior Kristin McGinty (Vail, Colo.) and freshman Katie Byrnes (Southington, Conn.) each tallied seven kills for the Cougars.

In the championship match, Fair's seven kills and 11 digs paced the Clark attack as the Cougars claimed their second city title under head coach Mickey Cahoon.

McGinty and Parker Edmonds (Forth Worth, Texas) both registered six kills, while Kelley had 11 digs and Nichole Lopez (Alameda, Calif.) added 10.

Spera finished with 26 assists, three kills and six digs for Clark who has equaled their best start under Cahoon.

The Engineers (9-1), meanwhile suffer their first loss of the season but won't have to wait long to get revenge. Clark and WPI meet on Tuesday for their NEWMAC opening match beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Most Outstanding Player
KORTNEY KELLEY, Clark University

All-Tournament Team
MARITZA FAIR, Clark University
ELYSSA DORENFELD, WPI
BAILEY SARBER, WPI   
LAUREN OSTAFIN, Assumption College
KELLY MC CONNELL, Assumption College
MEGAN BROWN, Worcester State College
SHAWNA STRAZZERE, Worcester State College