[Update] Alumnae Face Off in College Match
Update: Read the full story of the match and about honors earned!
Two 2009 alumnae, former championship teammates, face off on Sept. 12 when George Washington University’s women’s volleyball team travels to Villanova University. Candace Silva-Martin and Kristina Bither play for George Washington and Villanova, respectively. Both were on Harker’s 2007 NORCAL Division IV Championship volleyball team in their junior season and each has a number of awards and honors for her play at Harker. Bither is listed as an outside hitter and Silva-Martin as a libero (defensive specialist).
Brad Bower of the GW athletics department said, “It is definite that Candace will play, and probably start, the September 12 GW-Villanova match. She has started and played all 12 sets of our first three matches and our coach, Jojit Coronel, has raved about her performances. According to a Web report on her first game, “Silva-Martin’s defensive prowess was evidenced by her match-high 29 digs,” and Coach Coronel said, “Candace was a stud.”
“It is exciting to be playing with Kristina, though not on the same team, but across the net,” said Silva-Martin. “I’m really excited in general because we’re both really good athletes. It is really neat to be playing at the college level and I think we both deserve it.”
Bither has played in nine of 15 sets this season and will play in the Sept. 12 match up. “Kristina is one of the most athletic players in our program,” said coach Josh Steinbach. “She will have an increasingly significant role on our team as the season moves along. She has a drive and is one of the most competitive players we have.”
“It’s really exciting to play with such great players,” said Bither. “Everything is so much faster and so much more intense which is really fun for me! I’m really excited to play against Candace because we’ve always been extremely competitive with each other and I know this time won’t be any different. She’s one of my best friends so it will be nice to just see her also. Our teams are both doing really well so it should be a great game!”
The match can be viewed through a paid broadcast via Villanova’s all-access feature; see http://www.Villanova.com for details.
Tags: Sports