Volleyball: WVU Wins Marist Invitational
September 25, 2004 08:51 PM | General
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By Jarrod Sudduth for MSNsportsNET.com
September 25, 2004
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The West Virginia University volleyball team won three consecutive matches en route to the Marist Invitational championship on Sept. 24-25 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
WVU defeated Columbia 3-0 (30-12, 30-24, 30-7) and tournament host Marist 3-1 (30-13, 31-33, 30-14, 30-23) on Friday, Sept. 24, before securing an undefeated weekend with a 3-1 (30-21, 27-30, 31-29, 30-16) victory over Hartford on Saturday, Sept. 25.
Leading the Mountaineers over the weekend was junior Stephanie Zolna who was named the tournament MVP. Senior Alison Zemanski was also named to the all-tournament team, her third all-tournament honor of the season. The Perrysburg, Ohio, native was a member of the Flyer Invitational and WVU Invitational all-tournament teams earlier this season.
With Saturday’s victory over Hartford, West Virginia (7-6) eclipsed the .500 mark for the first time since opening the 2003 season 1-0 after a victory over Sacramento State on August 29, 2003.
Leading West Virginia over Hartford was Zemanski who registered a team-high 20 kills. Zolna and sophomore Gina Cusanelli added 12 while junior Julie Hockenson had 11.
Senior Brandice Studnicka's 50 assists were a team best while sophomore Aurora Ebert-Santos led the Mountaineers defensively with 15 digs. Zolna contributed with 10 digs of her own.
West Virginia has just two days to savor its undefeated weekend as the Mountaineers travel to Pittsburgh, Pa., on Tuesday, Sept. 28, for a match against Duquesne.
