Diezemann & Mancini Selected to NEWVA Senior Classic

Staged photo of women's volleyball seniors Emma Mancini and Emily Diezemann.

Posted: Nov 16, 2018

2018 NEWVA SENIOR CLASSIC RELEASE

BEVERLY, Mass. - Emily Diezemann (Peabody, Mass.) and Emma Mancini (Lynnfield, Mass.) of the Endicott women's volleyball team have been selected to play in the New England Women's Volleyball Association (NEWVA) Senior Classic on Sunday, December 2, 2018. The Classic will be hosted by Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Mass., and will be comprised of the top 30 seniors in the region.

Over their four year careers, the two seniors helped Endicott to back-to-back Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) championships in 2016 and 2017, ending their careers in the semifinals in 2018. Overall, Diezemann and Mancini led the Gulls to an overall record of 86-43, and a record of 30-4 against CCC foes. Their senior campaign saw the Gulls knock off four regionally-ranked foes in Springfield, Tufts, Amherst and Wesleyan, the latter of which advanced to the NCAA DIII Quarterfinals to end the season.

"It is exciting to see both Emily and Emma recognized on this level and invited to compete with the other top seniors in the region," said head coach Tim Byram. "I think what they and the team were able to accomplish during this four year span speaks volumes to what they both brought to the program. All of those things were needed to get to where we are today. They both crushed the workouts and showed up every day ready to work hard, while also encouraging and pushing others to do the same. They both regularly looked for ways to help and were always a first to grab a net pole or a broom or whatever was needed and not pass it along to an underclassmen.

"Individually, it was always easy to talk to Emily and she always was looking for ways to help. She could walk the line of listening to something and then guiding a teammate to what's best for the team and the individual. She learned to take control in practices and call timeouts or address people to help get everyone on the same page and moving the right direction. Her presence at the net was something to contend with too and I can picture she and Tori closing out the 2016 CCC final with a fitting block," Byram stated.

"Emma had her own presence in the weight and locker room and then on the court as well. I don't fully understand how someone can be so powerful and dynamic and then awkward enough to trip over a line or a teammate dancing and have us wondering if she was hurt every other day. Her presence on the pin reached new levels during her junior and senior year and watching her set and reset kill records was impressive," said Coach Byram. "Not willing to settle for just being a hitter, she worked hard to improve her passing and defense to become a six-rotation outside for her senior campaign.

"I think these two sum up and model what it means to be a terrific student-athlete, teammate and friend. The team and program are eternally grateful for all they've done and glad they have the opportunity to represent the Gulls one more time at the senior classic. Congrats ladies and thanks for making it Another Great Day To Be A Gull!"

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