Lady Knights Volleyball Goes 3-0 to Win NHTI Invite!

09.23.19

Warwick, R.I. – September 23, 2019: The CCRI Lady Knights volleyball team traveled the New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI) in Concord, NH to compete in the NHTI Volleyball Invitational on Saturday. The Lady Knights went 3-0 dropping only one set in the process to become 2019 NHTI Volleyball Invitational Champions. The Lady Knights beat Word of Life Bible School 3-0 then downed the University of Maine-Machias 3-0 and Paul Smith College in the Championship match 3-1. With the three victories the Lady Knights improve to 8-5 on the season. For their outstanding efforts the Lady Knights had two players earn All-Tournament awards. Freshman Libero Mia Shola (North Kingstown, RI) was named to the NHTI Invitational All-Tournament team. Freshman Outside Hitter Alexis Baffoni (Coventry, RI) was named NHTI Invitational Tournament Most Valuable Player as she finished with 17 Kills, 18 Aces and 14 Digs for the Invite.

CCRI defeats Word of Life 3-0: 25-19, 25-20 & 25-22

The Lady Knights swept the Word of Life bible school 3-0 with 26 team Kills and 18 team Aces to easily handle their opponent. The Lady Knights were led by freshman Alexis Baffoni who was tied for the team lead with seven Kills and led CCRI with nine Service Aces. Captain Manuela Restrepo (Central Falls, RI) also had an excellent match with six Kills, and four Aces. Freshman Marilyn McKay (Warwick, RI) was tied for the team lead with seven Kills with one Ace and one Solo Block. Also having a very good match was Sydney Trudeau (Cumberland, RI) with four Kills, three Aces and eight Digs. Rounding out the Lady Knights’ top performers was Gabriella Blumenstock (Warwick, RI) with 15 Assists and a Kill.

CCRI defeats UMaine-Machias 3-0: 25-20, 25-10 & 25-10

The Lady Knights cruised in this match after the first set which was close at 25-20. However, the last two sets were dominated by the Lady Knights as they won 25-10 twice. In this match CCRI dominated from the service line with 23 team Service Aces. Alexis Baffoni led CCRI with six Aces while adding two Kills. Captain Manuela Restrepo had five Acres, a Kill and a Dig. Marilyn McKay added four Kills, two Aces and a Solo Block. Sydney Trudeau, Joanna Wong (Cranston, RI) and Mia Shola each contributed at the Service line with three Aces apiece.

Championship

CCRI defeats Paul Smith College 3-1: 20-25, 25-17, 25-21 & 25-19

In the Championship Match versus Paul Smith College the Lady Knights had by far their toughest outing of the tournament. CCRI dropped the first set 20-25 before Head Coach Pat Chin made some adjustments which allowed the Lady Knights to rally back and with the final three sets 25-17, 25-21 & 25-19.

Freshman Mia Shola showed up big from the service line with a team-high 10 Aces and also helped big defensively with 13 Digs. Alexis Baffoni had another great all around match with eight Kills, three Aces and 14 Digs. Sydney Trudeau had another impressive showing with eight Kills, two Aces and nine Digs. Gabriella Blumenstock helped out with 23 Assists, two Kills, six Digs and five Aces. Captain Manuela Restrepo showed tremendous leadership while also helping out in all areas statistically with four Kills, two Assists, two Aces and six Digs.

The next match for the Lady Knights will be Tuesday the 24th when they travel to Haverhill, MA to play the Blue Knights of Northern Essex Community College for an interdivisional match beginning at 6pm.

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The Community College of Rhode Island, New England's largest comprehensive community college, enrolls nearly 15,000 students in credit courses and thousands more in non-credit and job training classes. Its athletic program boasts 12 varsity programs and an academic support program for all student-athletes.