Junior setter Amanda Weaver (Eaton, Ohio) and freshman Meaghan Flynn (Laguna Beach, Calif.) led the way with 21 assists and 13 kills, respectively, but it was not enough as the Simmons volleyball team fell to Johnson and Wales, 3-0, by scores of 25-17, 25-15, 26-24.  With the loss, the Sharks fall to 6-6 overall (GNAC, 1-2), while the Wildcats, the first place team in the conference, improve to 8-9 (GNAC, 5-0).

The first set went back and forth, as both teams were feeling each other out.  At one point the Sharks were down 14-12, but broke down as the Wildcats took the game, 25-17.  In the second set Simmons and Johnson and Wales rallied back and forth, with a score of 13-13 at the midway point of the game, however the Sharks would drop the game 25-15.  The third game proved to be the highlight of the evening as the Sharks started to demonstrate a team that was maturing together on the court.  Junior captain Candyce Arena (Brookline, Mass.) and freshman Krista Evans (Florence, Ala.) provided a much needed spark for Simmons.  The Sharks were down 23-19 and fought back to bring the score to 24-24, however Simmons was unable to take the game as the Wildcats closed the set, 26-24.

"Overall this was the most if not the best performance I have seen from a Simmons volleyball team in my two years of coaching at Simmons," said Head Coach Jason Conetta.  "This game shows the tremendous improvement the Sharks have made both on and off the court and I am truly proud of the them, as I envision them improving on their mistakes from tonight's game and becoming a contender in the GNAC Tournament this season."

The Sharks return to action this weekend when they host GNAC foe Mount Ida at 1 p.m. at the Holmes Sports Center on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Match Notes:
Amanda Weaver has recorded double-digit assists in twelve straight matches.