UAlbany defeats Siena: The better team and talent prevail again

UAlbany Women's Volleyball continues its reign over Siena, keeping the six year win streak and dominance intact..

27-30, 23-30, 31-29, 31-29, 15-8

Ashley Crenshaw recorded 19 kills and a career-high 10 block assists to lead the UAlbany volleyball team to a 3-2 win over crosstown-rival Siena on Sunday afternoon at the Alumni Recreation Center. The Great Danes victory snapped Siena’s 17-match win streak, which was tied for the longest winless stretch in the nation. UAlbany came back from a two-game deficit to win the match with scores of 27-30, 23-30, 31-29, 31-29 and 15-8.

After cruising to wins in the first two games, Siena’s Aubrey Bobo gave the Saints a 29-27 lead in game three. Crenshaw then recorded consecutive kills to tie the game at 30-30 before Siena setter April London was called for a ball handling error, giving the Great Danes the win.

London was instrumental in a game-four comeback for the Saints, serving six straight points to bring Siena back from a 28-22 deficit to tie the game at 28-28. UAlbany regained a 30-29 lead on a Siena attack error before junior middle blocker Kamisha Kellam slammed home a kill to tie the match at two games apiece.

UAlbany jumped out to an early 7-2 lead in game five and controlled the remainder of the game to record the Great Danes’ sixth straight win over the Saints.

Kellam finished with 15 kills and three total blocks for the Great Danes. Sophomore outside hitter Valerie Sourbeer and freshman outside hitter Teresa Coppiellie both recorded 13 kills apiece. Sourbeer added seven digs, six total blocks and two service aces while Coppiellie added six digs defensively for UAlbany. Setter Brooke Stanley tallied 45 assists, five digs, four block assists, two kills and two service aces, while libero Tawny Dahmes led the team defensively with a match-high 20 digs.

Siena (17-4), which had not recorded a loss wince August 31, was led Bobo, who recorded a double-double for the Saints with a match-high 25 kills and 18 digs. Senior outside hitter Nadiege Honore added 19 kills for Siena while sophomore middle hitter Burgandy McCurty finished with 12 kills and four block assists. London led all players with 62 assists to go along with six digs, five block assists, four kills and three service aces.

UAlbany (15-7) returns to action on Friday, Oct. 26, continuing America East Conference play at Stony Brook at 7 p.m.