Volleyball Splits on Final Day of Blazer Invitational

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College women's volleyball team registered their first victory of the 2015 season, splitting a pair of matches on the final day of the 2015 Blazer Invitational. The Blazer defeated SUNY-Cobleskill, 3-1 (25-20, 26-24, 12-25 & 25-23), to open action on the day, and then fell to Sage College, 3-0 (19-25, 19-25, & 11-25), to wrap up the tournament Saturday afternoon. The Blazers move to 1-3 on the season, while Cobleskill drops to 1-3, and Sage improved to 4-0.

In the win over Cobleskill, the Blazers were led by senior J.C. Pickett (Chicopee, Mass.) and freshman Danielle Redding (Las Vegas, N.V.), who racked up 12 kills apiece. Pickett recorded a double-double adding 15 digs, while Redding notched a pair of blocks. Senior Shannon Bolton (Shelton, Conn.) racked up a game-high 32 assists, and senior libero Alex Mack (Wilbraham, Mass.) grabbed a game-high 24 digs in the win. Freshman Rachel Magnuson (Miller Place, N.Y.) totaled nine kills and two blocks, while sophomore Ashlee Connors (Springfield, Mass.) added ten digs.

Cobleskill was paced by freshman Emilie Reimer (Mattituck, N.Y.) with a team-high 11 kills. Senior Raven Worthing (Owego, N.Y.) chipped in nine kills with 17 digs, and junior Kasey Williams (Wallkill, N.Y.) recorded seven kills. Freshman Michelle Urkevich (Troy, N.Y.) had 17 assists, while junior Karissa Morey (Gloversville, N.Y.) doled out 14 assists.

Against Sage, Redding, Magnuson and sophomore Lindsey McNiff (Kingston, Mass.) each had five kills. Pickett added 12 digs and four kills, while junior Carolyn Campbell (Millers Falls, Mass.) tallied 11 digs off the bench. Bolton recorded 17 assists, and Mack had 12 digs.

The Gators were led sophomore Alyssa Nellis (Johnstown, N.Y.) and junior Michayla Berard (Binghamton, N.Y.), each knocking a game-high nine kills. Tournament MVP senior Mickey Mango (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) contributed eight kills, and junior Rachael Liebig (Hartford, N.Y.) rattled off a game-high 29 assists. Sage registered 16 service aces during the match.

The Blazers will return to the court next weekend in tournament action at Plattsburgh State. The Blazers will take on the host Plattsburgh State Friday night, followed by tilts with SUNY-Poly and Lasell Saturday afternoon.

2015 Blazer Invitational All-Tournament Team

MVP: Mickey Mango (Sage)

Rachel Liebig (Sage)

Danielle Redding (Elms)

Alex Mack (Elms)

Emilie Reimer (Cobleskill)

Lizzie Taylor (Westfield)

Casey Howe (Westfield)