University of Albany Volleyball Sweeps Buffalo In 3 Straight Sets

University of Albany Volleyball Sweeps Buffalo In 3 Straight Sets.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Sophomore outside hitter Valerie Sourbeer recorded a match-high 12 kills to lead the UAlbany volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep of Buffalo on the first day of the UAlbany Classic at University Gymnasium on Friday evening. The Great Danes claimed the win with scores of 25-17, 25-17 and 26-24.

After UAlbany opened up a quick 2-0 lead in the first set, the score remained close in the early going, with Buffalo tying the set at 6-6 with a block by Kayla Govier and Dani Silvers. The Great Danes then opened up a 16-7 advantage behind the service game of Kalyn Mostert, who served for six straight points. Mostert later combined with Hillary White on a block to put UAlbany ahead, 20-13, and set up set point for the Great Danes with a huge kill down the middle. Sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cowdrey took an assist from Brooke Stanley to put the first set away for the Great Danes, 25-17.

Buffalo pressured early again in the second set, but UAlbany was able to continue the offensive advantage, as Sourbeer and White recorded back-to-back kills to give the Great Danes an 8-5 lead. UAlbany pulled ahead, 15-10, on a kill down the line by senior middle blocker Kamisha Kellam, who finished with nine kills for the Great Danes. Consecutive attack errors followed by a ball handling error by the Bulls, gave UAlbany a 21-13 advantage down the stretch. A Kellam kill sealed up set point for the Great Danes, as they took the second set, 25-17.

Sourbeer came alive in the final set, recording back-to-back kills to put the Great Danes ahead, 6-4, early in the set. Behind the service game of freshman Abbey Wexel, UAlbany rattled off five straight points, to get ahead, 10-5. The Great Danes continued to build an advantage, getting ahead 18-9 on a Buffalo attack error, but Bulls sophomore setter Lindsey Schlegel recorded three service aces in eight serves to put Buffalo ahead, 23-21. A Sourbeer kill, followed by a solo block and kill from Mostert, gave the Great Danes back the lead, which they would not relinquish. A solo bock by junior Laura Livergood sealed the win for UAlbany with a score of 26-24.

Kellam recorded a .571 hitting percentage in the match, recording just one error in 14 attempts. Cowdrey led the team defensively with 14 blocks, while also adding nine kills. Stanley finished with a match-high 31 assists and eight digs.

Sophomore middle blocker Kristin Bignell led Buffalo with 11 kills while freshman libero Heather Pyle led the team defensively with seven digs. Sophomore outside hitter Richelle Bigelow added six digs while Govier had three block assists.

The Great Danes will face Wright State on Saturday at 12 p.m. and Connecticut at 7 p.m. on the concluding day of the tournament. Connecticut defeated Wright State, 3-1, in the first match of tournament play on Friday.

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UAlbany Volleyball Classic (University Gymnasium)

Connecticut (4-0) def. Wright State (0-4), 3-1 (29-27, 21-25, 25-17, 25-18)

UAlbany (1-3) def. Buffalo (2-2), 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 26-24)

UAlbany 3, Buffalo 0 (Sep 05, 2008)