VOLLEYBALL TEAM COMPLETES FIRST TRIP TO NATIONALS
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December 1, 2000 - The storybook season finally came
to an end for the Bloomfield College women’s volleyball team.
After posting a perfect 14-0 conference record and breezing through the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament and the Region X Tournament, the Bloomfield College volleyball team (24-8) bowed out in the NAIA National Tournament at Palm Beach Atlantic College in West Palm Beach, Florida. It was the first time a Bloomfield College volleyball team had ever advanced to the National Tournament. |
In the first round, Bloomfield lost to third-seeded St. Mary’s College of Nebraska, 15-0, 15-4, 15-5, and Madonna College of Michigan, 15-5, 15-6, 15-4. On the second day of the tournament, Bloomfield fell to Point Loma Nazarene of California, 15-3, 16-14, 15-6, and Albertson College of Idaho, 9-15, 15-8, 15-10, 15-11.
Bloomfield was led by junior Monica Fernandez (middle hitter - Colombia), sophomore Eduarda Modaneze (outside hitter - Brazil), and freshman Cintia Spaniol (outside hitter - Brazil), who were each All-Conference selections this season. Fernandez averaged 12.5 kills per game in the Nationals, and had a personal best 19 kills against Albertson College. Senior Francia Franco (Colombia), in her first year at setter, also had an outstanding tournament, averaging 25 assists per game, including 38 against Albertson.
Women’s volleyball has been Bloomfield College’s most successful program in recent years, posting an impressive 115-35 record over the past five seasons. And thanks to a core of young and talented players, coach Tony Fontanelle expects the team to continue its winning ways.
“We accomplished a lot this year, especially considering we’re such a young team,” said Fontanelle, who was named 2000 CACC Coach of the Year in his first season with the team. “We will lose two players to graduation, but most of our starters, including our three All-Conference players, will be returning next year.”
