University of Albany Volleyball Overpowers Crosstown-Rival Siena in Three Sets on Dig Pink Night - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Dunja Prgomet had seven kills and seven digs, as UAlbany swept past Siena in three sets on "Dig Pink" night at University Gymnasium. The Great Danes, who extended their winning streak to five straight, defeated their crosstown-rivals by scores of 25-10, 25-15 and 25-16.

In the first set, UAlbany (16-8) tallied eight of nine points to break things open. Freshman Samantha Brostrom scored off a blocker, before the Saints had a pair of attack errors. Laurie Gonzalez finished off the run with a service ace. The Great Danes wrapped the opening frame when Prgomet delivered a cross-court kill to the right side.

Siena's Akana Taylor, who seven kills and nine digs, helped her team stay within striking distance in the second set. But Gonzalez came up with two of her 13 digs to help turn the tide. She dug out a serve that led to Progmet's push over the net for the first point and then made a diving save that set up another kill. Still leading leading 10-7, the Great Dane ran off five straight points to pull away. Brostrom and Gabby Whitworth scored points off attacks in that outburst.

After Taylor's kill off a blocker pulled Siena (10-13) within 6-4 in the final set, the Great Danes seized control with run of six points in a row. UAlbany's defense came up with the last three points. Casey Wright and Prgomet blocked a pair of hitting attempts, before Brooke Stanley teamed with Wright to stuff Taylor's strike and take a 12-4 advantage.

Stanley, an all-conference setter, finished with 22 assists and six digs. Wright and Whitworth each five kills for the Great Danes, who also defeated Siena in four games back on Sept. 10th at Fordham's Rose Hill Classic. UAlbany has won 12 of their last 13 matches. Jacqueline Skeen added seven kills for the Saints, who saw their six-match win streak come to an end.

Rick Dunetz, the founder of the Side-Out Foundation, was in attendance for the match, which had 281 in attendance. UAlbany head coach MJ Engstrom accompanied Dunetz to UAlbany's Cancer Research Center on the East Campus in East Greenbush earlier on Wednesday.

"We are doing our part for raising awareness for breast cancer," said Engstrom, whose team was participating in its fourth Dig Pink match. "One thing that the Side-Out Foundation helps with is education - for both the public and potential researchers. Having Rick here was awesome. Going to the Cancer Research Center enlightened me on how much research is being done right here in the Capital Region."

UAlbany will continue America East Conference play on Sunday, visiting Providence at 4 p.m.