Columbia
Loyola-Chicago
Volleyball Wins Back-To-Back Matches In Final Day Of Loyola Invitational
9/18/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Columbia started out slow in the first game as Loyola amassed a 20-9 lead that the Lions could not overcome. Game two was a different story as the Lions used six service aces to take an early 12-2 lead. The Ramblers chipped away and a Loyola ace cut the deficit to three (17-14) before LU evened up the game, 22-22. Loyola took a short 27-25 lead but the Lions evened the match heading into intermission, winning 30-28. Game three and four were all Columbia, as the Lions opened an 8-0 lead en route to running away with the third game before using an 8-2 run midway through game four to take a 25-18 lead, a lead that was never challenged.
Sophomore Natalie Gerling led the team with 18 kills and posted a double-double with 15 digs. Fellow first-years Amalia Viti and Ashley Kim posted double digits on offense and defense, with Viti having 17 kills and Kim leading the team with 16 digs.
After winning the first two games decicively, the Lions had to hold the Lady Jaspers off to complete the sweep. In third game, Manhattan took a 27-25 lead late in the game. Columbia, however, closed the frame on a 5-1 run to seal the victory.
Gerling posted her second double-double of the day in the match with 12 kills and 12 digs and sophomore Cassie Ligh led the team with 13 digs.
Gerling and junior Nikki Learned were named to the All-Tournament team for their efforts over the weekend. Listed below is the complete team. The Lions are in action again as they travel to Fairfield to compete in the Fairfield University Volleyball Invitational and will face LIU in the opening game at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 23rd.
Loyola Invitational All Tournament Team Maggie Pfeifer - Manhattan, Natalie Gerling - Columbia, Nikki Learned - Columbia, Courtney Ashley - Loyola, Sam Rutherford - Tulsa, Amy Meyer - Tulsa, Germana Hilario - Tulsa (MVP)
