Bulldogs Capture Garnet Classic Title
Swarthmore, PA - The University of Redlands, led by senior setter and tournament MVP Jessica Walker claimed the title at the fourth annual Garnet Classic on Saturday, finishing the weekend with a 4-0 record.
Swarthmore, led by senior captain and three-time All-Tournament selection Erica George won two games on the second day to finish with the second-best record.
Redlands 3, Kings Point 0
The Redlands extended their winning streak with help from junior Shelly Longford and freshman Jackie Beeton, who collected nine and seven kills respectively. In the three-game sweep, (30-8, 30-9, 30-17) Walker, a senior setter, led her team to victory with 20 assists. On defense, senior libero Rachea' Bell carried her team with 17 digs, while Lauren Hording dug out nine balls in the Bulldogs' third win of the tournament. Senior middle blocker, Lizzy Ford, played an important role as well, with her seven service aces. The Mariners' Jen LaValle led her team with 12 digs while Marina Olson pitched in with six digs.
Swarthmore 3, Cabrini 0
The Garnet improved their tournament record to 2-1 in their 3-0 win over Cabrini. Swarthmore pulled out a win in three games with scores of 30-13, 30-17, and 30-20. George racked up 11 kills and freshman setter Kearney Bangs continued to showcase her talent by leading the Swarthmore defense with 19 assists and 10 digs. Erin Heaney '09, the Garnet libero, also helped her team to victory by digging eight balls. Junior middle blocker Karen Berk added six kills in the set and continued to help the Swarthmore defense with three blocks. The Cabrini offense was led by Alecia Weaver and Lizzie Williams, who contributed with six and four kills, respectively, while Michelle Mola aided her team with 12 assists.
Redlands 3, Rutgers-Newark 0
The Bulldogs captured their second win of the day, and their fourth of the weekend in their competition against the Rutgers-Newark Raiders in three games (30-11, 30-12, 30-15). Lizzy Ford powered the Bulldogs' offense with her highest number of kills this weekend (10), helped out by Jackie Beeton '10, who had eight kills in the victory. Walker had 31 assists for the second time this weekend in the three game series versus the Raiders. Rachea' Bell, a senior libero, led her team for the fourth straight game with 12 digs and boosted the Redlands offense with a seven serving aces. Lauren Hording and Cassey McEwan helped the Bulldogs defend their perfect in-tournament record with solid defensive performances (seven digs and two blocks respectively). Jennifer Snyder and Jessica Kleeman led the defensive effort for the Raiders with seven and six digs, respectively. Snyder, along with Jessica Cockerham boosted the offense by leading the team in kills (five and three, respectively), while the junior setter, Nazly Hasanizadeh tried to build the Raider's offense with her team-high 11 assists.
Cabrini 3, Kings Point 0
Cabrini collected their first win in tournament play against Kings Point by scores of 30-20, 30-20, and 30-21. Lizzie Williams dominated two offense categories for Cabrini - number of assists (15) and aces (six). Amanda Murpy and Alecia Weaver worked together offensively to lead their team with a combined 19 kills in this win. Lindsay Martin, Danielle Finnegan, and Alecia Weaver fought for this valuable win by playing strong defensively. Martin had seven digs, Finnegan dug six balls, and Weaver showed her versatility by also offering the defense a boost with four blocks. Jen LeValle led the Mariners in 2 offensive categories, kills (9) and aces (3), as well as two defensive categories digs (10) and blocks (4). Clea Vragel tried to help her team both offensively and defensively with her 15 assists and 9 digs.
Swarthmore 3, Rutgers-Newark 0
The Garnet volleyball team bounced back from a .500 record (1-1) on Friday evening to an overall record of 3-1 in this year's tournament. Their final win consisted of a three game victory (30-21, 30-19, 30-23) over Rutgers-Newark. George, a senior outside hitter, blasted the Raiders' defense with 11 kills, while Vanessa Wells '08 contributed seven kills in the win. The sophomore class came through for the Garnet defense with Heaney and Jen Wang '08 , an outside hitter, leading the team with eight digs each. Kearney Bangs '10 did not falter in her offensive performance, racking up 19 assists for Swarthmore.
Day Two Results
Redlands 3, Kings Point 0 - (30-8, 30-9, 30-17)
Swarthmore 3, Cabrini 0 - (30-12, 30-17, 30-20)
Redlands 3, Rutgers-Newark 0 - (30-11, 30-12, 30-15)
Cabrini 3, Kings Point 0 - (30-20, 30-20, 30-21)
Swarthmore 3, Rutgers-Newark 0 - (30-21, 30-19, 30-23)
Day One Results
Redlands 3, Swarthmore 0 - (30-21, 30-28, 30-22)
Rutgers-Newark 3, Cabrini 0 - (34-32, 30-24, 30-26)
Redlands 3, Cabrini 0 - (30-16, 30-17, 30-13)
Rutgers-Newark 3, Kings Point 0 - ( 30-15, 30-14, 30-15)
Swarthmore 3, Kings Point 0 - (30-8, 31-29, 30-15)
All-Tournament Team
MB- Jesselyn LaValley - Kings Point S - Jessica Walker - Redlands (MVP)
MH- Alecia Weaver - Cabrini OH- Erica George - Swarthmore
MH- Jennifer Snyder - Rutgers-Newark L- Rachae' Bell - Redlands