September 3, 2006

Castleton wins season opener over Green Mountain 3-1

Poultney, VT-After losing the first game 30-20, Castleton State College came roaring back, winning three straights games 30-15, 30-16, 30-16 respectively to take their season opener over Green Mountain 3-1.

In the first game Castleton battled through errors, and nearly pulled out a win but fell 30-20. In the second game the Spartans tightened up their attack game, committing just one error and earning 11 kills. It was more of the same in the final two games as the team pounded out 13 kills and just five errors. Leading the way for Castleton was freshman Samantha Grisso ( Dartmouth, MA/ Dartmouth). Grisso ended the match with 11 kills and five errors, to go along with 10 assists and six serving aces. Senior setter, Carli Teats (East Berne, NY/Berne-Knox-Westerlo) also had 10 assists and three aces. Mandy Harrington ( Peru, VT/Green Mountain Union) chipped in with seven kills, while Justina Finocchi ( Pembroke, MA/Silver Lake Regional) added six kills and six aces. Freshman, Nicole Kondziela ( Bath, PA/North Hampton) was excellent on serve, with 12 aces.

With the win Castleton goes to 1-0, and is back in action on Wednesday, September 6 at the College of St. Joseph ( Vt.) in Rutland. Green Mountain falls to 1-1 and is off until traveling to Northfield, VT for the Norwich Classic on Saturday, September 9 when they take on Castleton once again. [Box Score]

***Spartans***