Haverhill, MA (October 20, 2021) – The Northern Essex Community College women's volleyball team has earned the top seed by virtue of its 7-0 region record (7-7 overall) for Saturday's NJCAA Region 21 tournament. The Knights were also the predetermined host of the tournament. NECC last hosted the tournament in 2018, when the Knights captured their second consecutive title and seventh overall.
Saturday's action will commence at 11:00am with the top seeded Knights facing off against fourth seeded Holyoke Community College. The second semi-final will see second seeded Community College of Rhode Island take on third seeded Massasoit Community College at 1:00pm. The Championship Match will take place at approximately 3:00pm (30 minutes following the conclusion of second semi-final) where the two semi-final winners will meet. Admission to the tournament is free of charge. All spectators are required to follow the college indoor mask mandate and maintain social distance while in attendance.
Dejalee Torres (Lawrence, MA) has led the Knights attack throughout the season as she currently leads the team and region with 108 kills and 2.7 kills per set. Torres is also among the region leaders in blocks.
Kaithlene Perez-Flores (Lowell, MA) and Yoneli Batista (Lawrence, MA) have both provided consistency on both sides of the net throughout the season. Perez-Flores currently ranks second in the region with 124 digs and has 59 kills. Batista ranks second behind Torres in kills with 74 and third in digs with 117.
Carol Ferreras (Lawrence, MA) is among the regional leaders in assists with 4.35 per set and averages one ace per set from behind the service line.
The winner of the region tournament will advance to the Northeast District Tournament to be held on Saturday October 30th and will be hosted by the winner of the NJCAA Region 15 tournament also being conducted on Saturday.
NJCAA REGION 21 CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
Hosted by Northern Essex Community College
Sport & Fitness Center (Haverhill, MA)
Saturday October 23rd
Game 1: #1 Northern Essex Community College vs. #4 Holyoke Community College – 11:00am
Game 2: #2 Community College of Rhode Island vs. Massasoit Community College – 1:00pm
Game 3: Championship Match – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 – Approx. 3:00pm (30 minutes after Game 2)
Northern Essex Community College competes as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and sponsors thirteen varsity intercollegiate sports including baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, softball, men's soccer, women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country and men's and women's track and field and Esports. For more information on Northern Essex Community College Athletics please visit the official website of Northern Essex Athletics (www.neccknights.com)