Swarthmore Volleyball Wins Garnet Classic
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The Garnet volleyball team (7-2) played spectacularly this weekend to keep its streak alive winning seven of its last eight games, defeating Cabrini College 3-1 and capturing a well deserved Garnet Classic championship. Sophomore Genny Pezzola won MVP of the tournament and sophomore Lisa Shang was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Sophomore Genny Pezzola was named MVP of the 2009 Garnet Classic.
Day two of the Garnet Classic began with a semifinal match-up between Swarthmore and Earlham College. Swarthmore controlled the game and downed the Quakers 3-1 propelling them into the finals against an 8-1 Cabrini squad. The Garnet knew what they were up against having played Cabrini only a week ago. Pezzola had 23 kills and led Swarthmore to a 3-1 victory, giving Swarthmore its first Garnet Classic championship since 2004.
In the semifinals, Swarthmore faced a 1-6 Earlham College who celebrated their first win of the season Saturday night. Earlham came out of the gate fast winning the first game 25-22. The Garnet reacted quickly winning the next three games 25-14, 25-12 and 25-16 and advance them to the championship.
Sophomore Genny Pezzola continued her quest for tournament MVP with 18 kills, 7 aces and 9 digs to lead the Garnet offense. Senior Kearny Bangs with 25 and freshman Allie Coleman with 17 led the team in assists. On defense, sophomore Lisa Shang hustled and earned 18 digs to help fend off the Quaker attack.
The championship game showcased a rematch between Swarthmore and Cabrini College. The two teams met last week at the Greyhound Premier when Swarthmore handed Cabrini their first and only loss of the season so far. Game one was a close and hard fought battle between the teams but Swarthmore struck first winning 27-25. The Cavaliers made it interested winning game two 25-21 but Pezzola and the Garnet attack proved too powerful for Cabrini to overcome. Swarthmore won game three 25-9 and game four 25-13.
Pezzola proved she was MVP worthy with 23 kills and 16 digs in the final game. Lisa Shang led the Garnet defense with another 17 digs, giving her 65 in four games sealing her All-Tournament team birth. Freshman phenoms Allie Coleman and Kat Montemurro continued stellar play in the championship with 30 Coleman assists and 11 Montemurro kills.
Swarthmore will go for number eight on Wednesday September 16 when they host Stevens Tech at 6 PM.