BLOOMFIELD VOLLEYBALL ADVANCES TO NATIONALS, PLAYERS EARN HONORS
November 12, 2001, Bloomfield, NJ - For the second straight season, the Bloomfield College women’s volleyball team is advancing to the NAIA National Tournament in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The Lady Deacons (28-5) defeated Goldey Beacom College, 30-15, 30-16, 30-18, in the regional finals to successfully defend the Region 10 title and qualify for the National Tournament.
Outside hitter Silvia Lopes registered 18 kills and six aces and Eduarda Modaneze added 11 kills for Bloomfield in the win.
The National Tournament will be played from November 28 through December 1 at Palm Beach Atlantic College in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Bloomfield College advanced to the regionals after capturing the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference title by defeating Wilmington College, 30-24, 30-13, 30-27, in the finals.
Bloomfield earned its second consecutive conference championship behind 22 kills from senior Silvia Lopes and 43 assists by Monica Fernandez. Eduarda Modaneze tallied 19 kills and 27 digs for the Lady Deacons.
Fernandez was named Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference women’s volleyball player of the year in balloting announced recently. The voting was done by the league’s eight coaches. Fernandez, a senior setter from Colombia, earned the honor for the second straight season despite switching positions. In her first year as a setter, she finished the regular season with 835 assists and 10.44 assists per game, both league highs.
Other Bloomfield players to earn all-conference honors include outside hitter Silvia Lopes, outside hitter Eduarda Modaneze, and middle blocker Cintia Spaniol, all of Brazil.
Bloomfield’s Tony Fontanelle repeated as CACC coach of the year. In his two seasons at Bloomfield College, Fontanelle has compiled an overall record of 52-13. Bloomfield has gone 33-1 against league opponents over the past two seasons.
The Lady Deacons earned their first trip to the NAIA National Tournament in Florida last season after coasting to a 24-8 record.
