Women’s Volleyball Claims New England Championship

(Holyoke, MA) – The HCC Lady Cougars volleyball team are champions of New England. Holyoke defeated CC of Rhode Island 3-1 in the regional title game played at the Bartley Center on Sunday afternoon. After dropping the first set 25-18, the Cougars won the next three 25-22, 25-19 and 25-23 to claim the championship. With the victory, HCC qualifies for the NJCAA Division III Volleyball Championship (National Tournament) being played in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The New England championship is Holyoke's first since 2014 when the team was coached by the late Andy Calisewski, and the program's first under fifth-year head coach Ju'Wan Collins.     

Jaylanie Nieves (Holyoke, MA / Chicopee HS) was an absolute force at the net for Holyoke in the championship victory, scoring 15 points, including a dozen kills. Neives smashed spike after spike down onto her opponents throughout the matchup and served three aces. Alianiz Bonilla (Springfield, MA / Commerce HS) had a stellar game, scoring 11 points with seven kills and a team-high four aces. She had 14 digs. Serymar Santos (Santo Domingo, DR / Holyoke HS) displayed her magical touch throughout the contest, registering 35 assists. Santos had twelve digs and a pair of kills along with a service ace. Isabelle Garutti (Springfield, MA / Sabis International Charter HS), the Cougars' dig leader, had a team-high 27 digs in the win. Caidence White (Springfield, MA / Central HS) had seven kills and 20 digs, and Shaliyah Toledo-Cruz (Springfield, MA / Sabis International Charter HS) had six kills and two blocks.

The New England champion Lady Cougars have an overall record of 19-4 and a regional record of 18-2. They are 19-2 against NJCAA teams. Holyoke will travel to the NJCAA Division III Volleyball Championship with their games to be played between November 13^th and 15^th. Their exact game times and opponents will be announced. Let's go Cougars!

Photo: The 2025 New England champion Lady Cougars.