Brandeis University lived up to its No. 1 seedings in the ECAC postseason, winning the school's first Division 3 women's soccer title and successfully defending its volleyball championship.
Two goals from senior Tzlil Castel, the tournament MVP, accounted for all of the scoring in the soccer championship game against Keene State. Brandeis sophomore netminder Hillary Rosenzweig posted her fourth consecutive shutout in the final game, her seventh of the season.
The Judges, coached by Denise Dallamora, finished 13-6-1.
The volleyball team, which did not lose a single tournament game, ended with a school-record 28 victories. The Judges swept Colby-Sawyer College in the ECAC finals with junior outside hitter Lorraine Wingenbach earning tournament MVP honors for the second consecutive year.
Right-side hitter Ashley Powers, a team captain back at Waltham High, finished with single-season career highs of 24 digs and a .240 hitting percentage. A four-year starter, Powers is a dean's list student and University Athletic Association All-Academic selection.
"Ashley had a back injury and had to play defense for most of the season, but she returned to the front row late in the season and was a big part of our success," said Brandeis head coach Michelle Kim. "She brought a positive attitude and energy that rubbed off on her teammates."
"I don't know if having four players from one town is a record for our program," said head coach Bob Ritter, "but what I do know, they're all great kids."
The Wellesley contingent was composed of junior defensive end David Ellis (inset), a graduate of St. Mark's and an all-conference candidate; a pair of defensive backs from Wellesley High, freshman Connor Green and sophomore Dan Haluska; and junior linebacker Brian Barron, who attended Noble & Greenough in Dedham. Philip Hastings, a sophomore wide receiver from Wayland, also saw playing time for the Vermont school.
"Ellis was one of our key defensive players, a great athlete who placed a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He's been a two-year starter and he's really grown into his position this season," said Ritter. "Green is a very good prospect who played on special teams and backed up at safety. We also have high hopes for Haluska, who also played on special teams."
Barron, after coming back from an injury, "was one of our top special teams players and he got in for about 25 plays per game at linebacker," Ritter said, and added that "Hastings was a backup wideout who really improved from his freshman and sophomore years."
Grceva, who was born in Macedonia and speaks five languages, was named to the conference's first team after leading the NE-10 with 560 kills (4.24 per game) and earning five Player of the Week honors this fall as a senior.
Described as a "devastating and versatile offensive player" by Bryant coach Theresa Garlacy, Grceva had 25 kills and eight digs to lead top-seeded Bryant to a 3-1 win over third-seeded Merrimack in the conference title match.
A first-team selection for the statewide and Bay State Conference All-Star teams in high school, Grceva played for two seasons at University of Maryland-Eastern Shore before transferring to Bryant.
Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High graduate Lauren Vecchione has wrapped up her collegiate soccer career as a captain and senior defender at Providence College. "Lauren is an outstanding role model and leader, not just as a captain but throughout her entire career. She exemplifies everything that not only a captain is but a true teammate as well," said Friars coach Jim McGirr.
Watertown High grad Anthony Coppola made a sparkling debut with the Wheaton College men's basketball team. The freshman guard was named MVP of the 13th Wheaton Tip-Off Tournament after powering the Lyons to wins over Norwich University (84-50) and Plymouth State (95-88) last weekend to take the title. Coppola, who led Watertown High to the Division 3 state championship in March, opened with a 17-point effort against Norwich and then added 19 points and three steals in the final against Plymouth State University.
Marvin Pave can be reached at 508-820- 4223 or at marvin.pave@rcn.com.
