UAlbany Volleyball Splits Matches on Final Day of Michigan/adidas Invitational

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cowdrey recorded a double-double to lead UAlbany to a 3-2 win over Western Kentucky in the final match of the Michigan/adidas Invitational at Cliff Keen Arena on Saturday. The Great Danes dropped a 3-0 decision to the host Wolverines, who are undefeated and ranked #25 nationally.

UAlbany kept the first set with Western Kentucky close, before the Hilltoppers got up, 14-11, behind the service game of Megan Argabright. The Great Danes tied the game at 17-17 on a kill by senior middle blocker Kamisha Kellam, who finished the match with ten kills. The score went back and forth, as the teams exchanged kills before Cowdrey put UAlbany ahead, 25-24. Kellam then recorded one of her match-high six blocks to end the set with UAlbany up, 26-24.

Western Kentucky took charge in the second set, not allowing the UAlbany offense to capitalize on any opportunity. Argabright converted a set from Julia Noe to give the Hilltoppers the sideout point and go ahead, 16-8. Argabright recorded a service ace later in the set to put Western Kentucky up, 18-8, before a service error gave the ball back to UAlbany. A Valerie Sourbeer kill pulled the Great Danes within 21-10, but back-to back attack errors and a block by Aquila Orr and Brittany Bowen sealed the win for the Hilltoppers, 25-10.

It was UAlbany’s chance to take charge in the third set, as setter Brooke Stanley served for the first four points of the set, including a service ace. Stanley assisted on Cowdrey’s kill that put the Great Danes up, 9-4, before the teams exchanged points to set the score a 14-8 in UAlbany’s favor midway through the set. Freshman Kalyn Mostert recorded a service ace, while Kellam and Cowdrey combined for back-to-back block assists to give the Great Danes an 18-11 lead. Argabright and Emily Teegarden hit consecutive kills to pull Western Kentucky to within 22-17, but a Hilltopper attack error followed by a service ace by Stanley set the final score at 25-17.

Western Kentucky jumped out to an early 4-1 lead in the fourth set, and the Hilltoppers continued to build their lead in the early going, getting ahead 10-4 behind the service game of Kelly Hofmeyer. A service ace and back-to-back kills by Kellam pulled the Great Danes to within 10-8. Sourbeer and White combined for a block to tie the set at 12-12 before Western Kentucky began to pull away. Noe served for four straight points and UAlbany committed a service error to put the Hilltoppers back in possession. Kelly Potts served for the final four points, and Tiffany Elmore blocked a UAlbany attack to give the Hilltoppers a 25-14 win.

Western Kentucky appeared to have the advantage in the final set, as the Hilltoppers built up an 8-5 lead on an Argabright kill. Western Kentucky continued to hold the lead as the teams went back and forth, exchanging kills. White took over the UAlbany service game with the score set at 14-11, and served for the final five points, including a service ace. One of Cowdrey’s 14 kills tied the set at 14-14, before an attack error by Western Kentucky gave UAlbany the 15-14 lead. Mostert and Kellam combined for a block assist to win the match for the Great Danes with a score of 16-14.

Stanley recorded a double-double with 40 assists and 11 digs, while Cowdrey added ten digs. The classmates also recorded three service aces apiece, while White and Sourbeer finished with nine and eight kills, respectively.

Teegarden recorded a match-high 18 kills for Western Kentucky (11-3), hitting .308 for the match. Argabright added 16 kills and Bowen finished with 11 kills and four total blocks. Noe tallied 52 assists and Hofmeyer led the Hilltoppers defensively with 20 digs.

Earlier in the day, UAlbany dropped three straight sets to #25 Michigan. The Wolverines posted scores of 25-18, 25-19 and 25-18 in the sweep. Cowdrey had ten kills to lead the UAlbany offense, while freshman libero Laurie Gonzalez recorded a team-high ten digs.

Juliana Paz led Michigan (11-0) with 12 kills while Veronica Rood added 11 kills. Kerry Hance paced the Wolverines defensively with 21 digs while setter Lexi Zimmerman finished with 46 assists, eight digs, two service aces and two block assists.

UAlbany (5-7) will return to action next weekend, hosting the second tournament of the season at University Gymnaisum. The Great Danes welcome Dayton, Long Island and Yale for the two-day tournament on Friday and Saturday.

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#25 Michigan (11-0) def. UAlbany, 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-18)

UAlbany (5-7) def. Western Kentucky, 3-2 (26-24, 10-25, 25-17, 14-25, 16-14)