Rackliffe Named MASCAC Rookie of the Year and Volleyball Lands Three on All-MASCAC First Team

Westfield, Mass. – Freshman outside hitter Alycia Rackliffe (Feeding Hills, Mass.) has been tabbed as the 2013 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Year.  Rackliffe, senior outside hitter Andressa Fernandes (Framingham, Mass.) and sophomore outside hitter Danielle Girard (Tivoli, NY) have been named to the All-MASCAC first team in voting conducted by the league's seven coaches. 

Rackliffe earns her first All-Conference nod after an outstanding rookie season where she was named the MASCAC Player of the Week three times and the MASCAC Rookie of the Week six times.  Rackliffe racked up 353 kills on the year averaging 3.33 kills per set to go along with a .338 hitting percentage, which led the conference. Rackliffe picked up 40 service aces on the year and 72 total blocks including 44 solo.

Fernandes, a two time MASCAC Player of the Year, earns All-Conference honors for the fourth time. She was a first team selection in 2011 and 2012 and a second team selection in 2010 as a rookie.  Fernandes recorded 233 kills (2.26 per set) with 29 service aces to go along with 163 digs.

Girard, the 2012 MASCAC Rookie of the Year, followed up her outstanding rookie season with a solid sophomore campaign.  She picked up 197 kills and a team-best 359 digs (3.39 per set).  Girard racked up 60 service aces and 16 blocks as the Rams finished second in the MASCAC and won a school record tying 25 matches during the regular season.