University of Albany Volleyball Sweeps Hofstra In Straight Sets In Game 1 Of UAlbany Classic - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. - Valerie Sourbeer finished with a match-high 12 kills while Brooke Stanley recorded a double-double with 30 assists and 11 digs to lead UAlbany to a 3-0 win over Hofstra on the first day of play at the UAlbany Classic on Friday evening at University Gymnasium. The Great Danes posted scores of 25-23, 25-23 and 25-22 for the three-game sweep.

UAlbany jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead in the first set behind the service game of Stanley. Hofstra took a time out and was able to regroup, scoring four straight points by inducing attack errors from the UAlbany offense. The Great Danes were up, 15-10, on a kill by Teresa Coppiellie, but Hofstra powered back to pull within 16-14 on a service ace by Taylor Moore. The Pride tied up the set at 18-18 on a Rachel August service ace, but UAlbany held onto a slim lead with a Traci Vandegrift kill and an attack error by Hofstra. Sourbeer smacked the final two points of the set to give the Great Danes the two-point win.

UAlbany came out firing early again in the second set, getting up 4-1 on a kill by Hillary White. The Pride came rallying back, to tie the score at 5-5 on a kill from Marina Markovic. The Great Danes tried to put some distance between the two teams behind Kalyn Mostert's service, getting a kill from Sourbeer followed by three straight Hofstra errors, including a solo block from Casey Wright (Ballston Spa). After pulling ahead, 19-14, Moore helped out the Pride once again, as she was responsible for six straight points, including two service aces. Mostert recorded an ace for the Great Danes, sandwiched by kills from Wright, including the set-ending smash at 25-23.

The third set was a back-and-forth affair from the beginning, with the Great Danes getting the biggest advantage at 5-2 in the early goings. UAlbany finally got ahead, 14-10, on a Hofstra attack error before the Pride pulled within two, 16-14. The teams exchanged attack errors, but freshman Natalee Gruse served for three straight points to put the Great Danes up, 20-15. Hofstra stayed in the game with blocks by Anissa Whitney and Marina Markovic, but Wright kept the Great Danes in power, slamming down the final kill at match point to seal the win.

Monica Knight led the Pride with nine kills and 14 digs while Whitney finished with six total blocks. Setter Chrissey Cruz had a double-double with 21 assists and 11 digs for Hofstra (0-4). Gruse and Mostert each recorded a team-high 13 digs for UAlbany, while Wright had five totally blocks, including three solo.

UAlbany (1-3) will face off against Seton Hall on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. before taking on Lamar at 7 p.m. Lamar defeated Seton Hall, 3-1, in the first match of the tournament. Lamar and Hofstra will play the first match on Saturday at 10 a.m., while the Pride will take on Seton Hall at 4:30 p.m.