NEW LONDON, CONN.--(10/29/11)--Junior Keriann Mason had 12 kills, 21 digs and two aces as Coast Guard clinched a share of the regular season conference championship with a 3-2 win over MIT in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) match, the regular season finale for both teams.

Coast Guard tied for the regular season championship with Springfield, but the Pride earn the top seed with a head to head victory. The Beas clinched the second seed and a first round bye in next week's NEWMAC tournament with the win. The Bears won their ninth straight improving to 23-5 overall and 8-1 in conference play. MIT, which will be the fourth-seed in the tournament drops to 22-10 overall and 6-3 in conference play.

The Bears won by game scores of 21-25, 25-19, 25-16, 15-25 and 15-12.

Sophomore Kelsey DePorto had ten kills and two aces for the Bears, freshman Kelsey Hickle added nine kills while junior Karen Matic finished with seven kills and a team-high 32 assists.

Coast Guard will take on the winner of #3 Wellesley vs. #6 Babson in the NEWMAC tournament semifinals on Saturday at 3:30 at top-seeded Springfield.

The NEWMAC tournament championship match will be on Sunday at 1:00 at Springfield.