BRIDGEWATER, Mass -- The Westfield State College volleyball team captured the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC)  regular season title as the Owls downed host Bridgewater State College, 3-0, in the conference finale for both teams.

Westfield completes the regular season with a record of 17-15, including a 6-0 mark in MASCAC play.  With the loss, Bridgewater falls to 7-18 overall and 5-1 in the conference.  The Owls will be the top seed and host for the MASCAC Tournament which will take place at Westfield on Saturday, November 7th.  Second seeded Bridgewater will face number three seed Worcester State in the semifinals, while Westfield's opponent has yet to be determined.

Westfield won the first set, 25-17, and then battled to a tough 26-24 victory in set number two.  The Owls completed the sweep of the match with a 25-16 win in the third set.

Senior outside hitter Stephanie Bartkus (North Merrick, NY) led Westfield with 15 kills followed by Rachel Ryan (Westborough, MA) with eight of her own.  Senior libero Katie Kurty (Ludlow, MA) recorded 13 digs.  Freshman middle hitter Ally Rannikko (Easthampton, MA) contributed eight blocks (four total), while sophomore setter Kerin DeGirolarmo (North Attleboro, MA) added 33 assists.

The Bears had some good performances of their own in the losing effort. Sophomore middle hitter Shelly DePina (New Bedford, MA) led the Bears with twelve kills and five solo blocks followed by Julie Clerc (Acushnet, MA) with 11 kills. Junior setter Natalie Cohen (Marstons Mills, MA) contributed 27 assists. The lone senior for the Bears, Brianne Cobb (New Bedford, MA), had twenty digs on "Senior Night".

The Bears will host their annual Halloween Classic on Friday and Saturday.  Bridgewater will take on Framingham State College and Plymouth State University on Friday, followed by matches against Worcester State College and Mass. Maritime Academy on Saturday.