The women�s volleyball team at �鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College is charging toward regional competitions with multiple winning streaks and individual player awards. Starting the 2026 season 8-0 matched the 2012 team�s record for best start in the college�s available history for the sport.

Following the September 30 win over Great Bay Community College, the Lynx move into second place in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) East Region with a 7-2 record. The team stands at 11-2 with 10 out of 11 wins being straight-set sweeps. The Lynx hope to make 2026 a YSCC Championship-winning season, which was last achieved in 2017.

�We are incredibly proud of this team�s hard work and dedication,� said �鶹��ý athletic director Annie Mattarazzo. �The energy is high as we head into matches on October 4 and 8.�

During their impressive fall season, the Lynx have celebrated multiple individual player awards. Esther de Souza Quina (Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil) earned a pair of weekly honors following the YSCC Volleyball Crossover Weekend on September 20. The first-year setter was named United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division II Specialist of the Week and YSCC Player of the Week.

Earlier in the season, sophomore captain Brooke Kelly (Nottingham, NH) was named the YSCC Player of the Week.

The Lynx are led by third-year Head Coach Toni Bailon (Manchester, NH). Bailon served as an assistant in 2023 before taking over as head coach and has guided �鶹��ý to the YSCC Final Four in each of her first two seasons at the helm, including a YSCC Championship appearance last year.

�鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College offers the full college experience with 14 athletic teams that compete for New England and national championships as part of the YSCC and USCAA.

The 22nd Annual �鶹��ý-Concord�s Community College and Northeast Delta Dental 5K Road Race brought over 300 people together on Friday, April 17. This marked the second event in the Capital Area Race Series (CARS).

�This race is a kickoff of our community�s spring season,� explained Tom Raffio, President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental. �For many years, we�ve partnered to create this tradition that brings together runners of all ages, from the smallest sprinters in the Kids Fun Run to our local student-athletes and neighbors. We are incredibly proud to see this event grow every year.�

Cody Symonds from Alexandria took home the first-place prize with a blazing 15:42. Top honors for women went to Mary Klene from Manchester, who crossed the line with an impressive 18:52. �鶹��ý Lynx, Christian Forsythe, proudly took home first place in the men�s 15-19 division.

The evening kicked off with a Kids Fun Run and wrapped up with the beloved �鶹��ý and Northeast Delta Dental BBQ. The race also doubled as the second event in the �Battle of the Bridge� competition between �鶹��ý and Northeast Delta Dental.

�We have a shared goal to promote wellness and build team spirit, so we�ll be stoking some friendly competition,� said �鶹��ý director of athletics and campus life, Annie Mattarazzo.

Northeast Delta Dental took the �Battle of the Bridge� win at Friday�s race, with their team outpacing the Lynx in average running times. Next up, the organizations will compete at a softball game on June 13.

Proceeds from the �鶹��ý and Northeast Delta Dental 5K benefited the Jennifer Kemp Memorial Scholarship Fund at �鶹��ý, which supports students who excel academically and stay actively engaged in campus life and community service.

To learn more about supporting �鶹��ý�s scholarship opportunities and athletic programs, visit . For more information about the Capital Area Race Series, visit .

Photo: �鶹��ý-Concord�s Community College and Northeast Delta Dental 5K Road Race hosts and winners (left to right): Saleena Ramboer (third place for women), Russell Leino (third place for men), Rachel Jastrebsky (second place for women), Annie Mattarazzo (�鶹��ý director of athletics and student life), Tom Raffio (Northeast Delta Dental President & CEO), David Chorney (second place for men), Mary Klene (first place for women), Cody Symonds (first place for men, overall race winner).

The Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) has announced its All-Academic Teams for the Fall 2025 semester, and �鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College is proud to recognize its student-athletes who earned this distinction.

Student-athletes named to the teams exemplify excellence both in the classroom and in competition, earning a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher while demonstrating dedication to their respective sports.

�鶹��ý-Concord�s Community College and Northeast Delta Dental will compete head-to-head in three athletic events in February, April, and June. This series of games is titled �Battle of the Bridge� because these two prominent institutions are located just across from each other on the Delta Drive bridge over I-93.

�Northeast Delta Dental has been a vital supporter of �鶹��ý through the years, and this is our chance to collaborate in a totally new environment.� said �鶹��ý director of athletics, Annie Mattarazzo. �We have a shared goal to promote wellness and build team spirit, so we�ll be stoking some friendly competition.�

Battle of the Bridge will kick off with a basketball game in the �鶹��ý Goldie Crocker Wellness Center on Saturday, February 14 at 6 p.m. The competition will continue with a race across both campuses on April 17. The final 2026 event is a softball game on June 13 at �鶹��ý.

�Our partnership with �鶹��ý goes beyond supporting their nationally ranked dental hygiene program,� explained Tom Raffio, President and CEO, Northeast Delta Dental. �Whether it�s a snowshoe race, an annual Capital Race Series 5K, or the upcoming Battle of the Bridge, we work together to promote overall health and wellness for our community and have fun in the process.�

The Concord community is welcome to attend Battle of the Bridge events and cheer on their favorite team. Learn more about the games at nhti.edu/events.

Photo caption:

Tom Raffio, President and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, Ellen Raffio, Wellness Coordinator at Northeast Delta Dental, and Dr. Patrick Tompkins, President of �鶹��ý-Concord�s Community College give out awards at the 2025 �鶹��ý and Northeast Delta Dental 5k Road Race.

Jason Rule, owner of Jasmor Roofing and Contracting, has been a supporter of the �鶹��ý women�s soccer program for years. This summer he purchased a brand-new scoreboard for the campus, not knowing it would mark a historic season for the team.

Rule has volunteered countless hours to �鶹��ý�s soccer program�driving the women�s team to games, providing supplies, and spearheading fundraising events. In honor of his daughter�s graduation from the college, he decided to make a special gift to the college.

The brand-new scoreboard was a defining feature of home games all season, most memorably during the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) semifinals hosted on campus. That victory propelled the team to its national appearance in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division II Championship, where they finished as runner-up.

�Every time our players look up at this board, they’ll see the scoreboard, but they’ll also see something more: they’ll see a community that believes in them,� said Annie Mattarazzo, director of athletics at �鶹��ý-Concord�s Community College.

The scoreboard will benefit the �鶹��ý soccer program for years to come, underscoring the vital role community partners and alumni families play in supporting student achievement. To learn about �鶹��ý Athletics and explore opportunities to give back, visit .

�鶹��ý-Concord�s Community College had an outstanding fall athletics season�with two team runner-ups in national conferences, and runner-up placement in regional conferences for three sports.

For the first time in �鶹��ý history, the women�s soccer team earned their place in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division II National Championship. After a 3-1 loss against the University of Cincinnati Clermont, the Lynx placed runner-up nationally.

The Lynx women’s soccer team continue their momentum abroad in December, traveling to Costa Rica to compete against first- and second-division teams while giving back through community service.

In cross country, the �鶹��ý men�s team earned a second-place title at the USCAA national championship�another historic finish for the college. Eli Lemire from Weare was named a member of the USCAA All-American team after finishing as individual runner-up with a time of 27:53 for the eight-kilometer race.

�Eli has really been an inspiration to us as a team all year and is the caliber of athlete that rivals, and in some metrics surpasses, some of the best we have ever had at this school,� said head coach Graham Hayslip. �I am looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish in the Spring.”

The Lynx women�s volleyball team was cheered on by the hometown crowd as they fought in the YSCC regional championships hosted on the �鶹��ý campus. They completed a runner-up finish with Emma Bernard from Barrington being named the tournament�s Outstanding Offensive Player.

In golf, the Lynx men�s team made a strong showing in USCAA championships. Aiden Boule from Concord finished in third place and was named a 1^st Team All-American, and Bronson Ammann from Hopkinton was named National Long Drive Champion.

�鶹��ý athletics is ramping up for another strong season with men�s and women�s basketball tipping off. The men�s basketball team is anticipated to give a strong performance in the national arena. This team has achieved historic wins in the past, including a USCAA Division II national championship win in 2020.

All athletes at �鶹��ý-Concord�s Community College balance their sport with academic studies�all
must meet requirements for credits earned and GPA. To learn more about �鶹��ý�s 70+ academic programs, visit nhti.edu. To learn about �鶹��ý�s athletic recruitment opportunities, visit .

Photo: �鶹��ý dental hygiene student, Eva LaValley, took home the YSCC Most Outstanding Offensive Player title in women�s soccer.

Student athletes, alumni, and beloved coaches faced off for a special game on Sunday, October 19 to support �鶹��ý-Concord�s Community College Women�s Softball Team.

�鶹��ý�s women�s softball program has received national recognition from the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC).

�Unfortunately, we didn�t have the roster size needed to compete in our division this fall, but that didn�t stop us,� said coach Rachael Vallese.

�Our players kept showing up to practices, working hard, and pushing each other to get better. They deserved the chance to compete, and that�s how the idea for this game was born!� continued Vallese.

Coach Vallese reached out to the softball community, and the response was overwhelming. 18 �鶹��ý alumni and 9 non-alumni coaches from across New England signed up to play.

Kerry Finnigan, �鶹��ý�s legendary women�s softball coach from 2011-2020 and YSCC Coach of the Year in 2018, returned to lead the alumni team�bringing with him outstanding players from the team�s history.

Deb Smith, �鶹��ý�s beloved recreation and wellness manager with 16 years of coaching experience, led the student athlete team for this special event.

��鶹��ý softball has a legacy of excellence,� said �鶹��ý athletic director Annie Matarazzo. �We won back-to-back conference championships leading into 2020, and are eager to recruit new student athletes for the spring 2026 season.�

�鶹��ý�s student athletes are frequently named All-Americans and All-Stars in national conference competitions. Learn about recruitment opportunities at .

The Women�s Soccer team at �鶹��ý-Concord�s Community College has only surrendered two goals all season. They�ve travelled around the country to compete nationally and are currently undefeated in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC).

�The team’s success has been built on a foundation of defensive excellence and offensive firepower,� said �鶹��ý athletic director, Annie Mattarazzo.

Leading the offensive charge is Adrienne Dorr from Pembroke, who has been nothing short of sensational with 28 points on the year.

Goalkeeper Hailey Knight from Manchester has been equally dominant, anchoring the defense with a stellar 0.37 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.

�鶹��ý’s combination of lockdown defense and explosive offense has positioned them as legitimate contenders for a conference championship and a deep postseason run. The team currently sits at #3 in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division II national rankings.

Photo cutline:

�鶹��ý 2025 Women�s Soccer Team in action vs University of Maine at Augusta on September 29

�鶹��ý-Concord�s Community College is committed to cultivating potential in every learner. Through more than 70 academic programs, we equip students with the skills and knowledge that power New Hampshire�s future. We deliver a comprehensive college experience�including on-campus housing, competitive athletic programs, and vibrant student clubs and organizations�that allow 4,600 students annually to advance in their careers and embrace lifelong learning. We are a proud member of the Community College System of New Hampshire, and have maintained accreditation by the New England Commission of Higher Education since 1969.

�鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College will celebrate two outstanding classes of athletes and coaches at their Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, September 19.

The class of 2024 includes a Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) Soccer Player of the Year�Maura Hart Coppa, YSCC Outstanding Offensive Player honoree for women�s basketball�Riselly Deleo, YSCC Coach of the Year for softball�Kerry Finnigan, a top-medalist golf player�Dustin Moreault, and a �鶹��ý Men�s Soccer Most Valuable Player�Semir Sandzic.

The class of 2025 includes an outstanding basketball player who guided his team to four consecutive United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Championship appearances�J�Quavious Thurmond, 2^nd place golf winner at the 2019 USCAA National Championship�Ryan Rothdiener, a standout soccer player who led her team to a YSCC National Tournament appearance�Stefani Gauthier Gauvin, YSCC Tournament Outstanding Player for both volleyball and softball�Kristina Rieger, and the �鶹��ý 2019-2020 Men�s Basketball Team who won the USCAA Division II National Championship.

“This group represents the very best of Lynx Athletics,” said �鶹��ý athletics director Annie Mattarazzo. “In their own ways, each honoree contributed significantly to the success and tradition that define our department and our institution. We are thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments and welcome them into the Hall of Fame.”

�鶹��ý Athletics� Hall of Fame was established in 2019 to honor and celebrate the outstanding achievements of student athletes, coaches, and contributors. Although inducted athletes have often been recognized nationally for their skills, this awards ceremony also focuses on the leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication to sport that exemplifies the �鶹��ý Lynx spirit.

The Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at �鶹��ý�Concord�s Community College on Friday, September 19 at 6 p.m. Learn more and purchase tickets to the event at .

If you are an alum of �鶹��ý-Concord�s Community College, you are invited to come back to campus to celebrate the college�s 60^th anniversary and Homecoming Weekend on Saturday, September 20. Learn more at nhti.edu/alumni.

Photo: �鶹��ý 2019-2020 Men�s Basketball Team, winners of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) ��Division II National Championship

�鶹��ý �鶹��ý-Concord�s Community College

�鶹��ý is a dynamic public institution of higher learning that provides accessible, rigorous education for students, businesses, and the community. We create pathways for lifelong learning, career advancement, and civic engagement, offering 70+ academic programs to 4,600+ students annually. �鶹��ý is a member of the Community College System of New Hampshire and since 1969 has been accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, a nongovernmental, nationally recognized accrediting agency.