Bears Picked Second in MASCAC Volleyball Preseason Poll

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University volleyball team has been picked to finish in second place in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) standings as the 2025 MASCAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll was released today by conference director of media relations, Emily Loux.

The defending MASCAC Tournament champion Bears received 60 points in the poll including four first-place votes. Westfield State University is the preseason favorite to capture the conference title as the defending regular season champion Owls recorded 61 points with five first-place votes. Framingham State University rounds out the top three teams in the poll with 47 points.

Under the guidance of head coach Tony daSilveira (7th Year), the Bridgewater State volleyball team will open the 2025 season on Tuesday, September 2nd as the Bears travel to Keene State College to take on the Owls at 6:00 PM.

The 2025 home opener is slated for Tuesday, September 9th at 6:00 PM against Curry College.

MASCAC play gets underway on Tuesday, September 23rd (6:00 PM) as the Bears welcome the Buccaneers of Massachusetts Maritime Academy to the Tinsley Center. 

Returning All-MASCAC selection Lily Welch (Jr., OH, Hanson, Mass.) will help lead the Bears in 2025.

Bridgewater State finished in second place in the 2024 MASCAC standings with a 6-1 conference mark (13-10 overall). The Bears knocked off Framingham State in the MASCAC Tournament semifinals before rallying for a 3-2 victory over top-seeded Westfield State in the conference title match to advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 11th time in program history and first since 2008.