Sports

Women’s volleyball wins 2 of 3 in N.Y.

By Eric Russell

Posted on Sept. 09, 2002, at 12:00 a.m.

Julie Altenhoff

University of Maine sophomore Marina Ivankovic prepares to set a teammate in the Black Bears win in an exhibition match against University of Ottawa Aug. 30. UMaine won two of three games this weekend at a tournament at Niagara University in New York.

The University of Maine women’s volleyball team had a strong showing in its second tournament of the 2002 season, winning two games and dropping one at the Niagara Tournament in Niagara, N.Y. this weekend.

The Black Bears began the tournament against host Niagara University Friday and beat the Purple Eagles in five games, 3-2 (30-26, 33-31, 17-30, 23-30, 15-10).

UMaine started strong in winning the first two games, but suffered a lapse that allowed Niagara to get back into the match. The Purple Eagle won games three and four, but the Black Bears rallied in the fifth and deciding game to pick up their second win of the season.

First-year middle blocker Leah Guidinger, who played well in UMaine’s opening home tournament last weekend, continued to impress, leading the team with 21 kills.

Sophomore Carmen Gabriel, splitting time between right-side hitter and setter, put together a solid all-around game with 16 kills, 20 assists and a game-high 17 digs.

Fellow sophomore Marina Ivankovic had 13 kills and seven block assists. First-year setter and Topsfield, Maine native Ashley Marble led the Black Bears with 27 assists.

UMaine split a couple of games Saturday, winning in the morning over Canisius College, 3-0 (30-23, 30-22, 30-28) before losing to undefeated Duquesne University 0-3 (19-30, 31-33, 30-32), to close out the tournament.

The split put the Black Bears at 3-2 on the young season.

Guidinger led UMaine again in the first game Saturday with team-highs of 18 kills and 13 digs. Gabriel took over the fulltime setting duties Saturday, as Marble didn’t play either match. Gabriel notched a season-high 44 assists and added 11 digs. Ivankovic was solid again with 12 digs and eight kills. Canisius never threatened in the match and fell to 0-5 on the season.

Duquesne dominated UMaine in the second match Saturday behind 15 kills and 12 digs from Sarah Morrow. Sophomore middle blocker Lori Maloney led the Black Bears with 10 kills and 10 digs, both season highs.

UMaine’s Guidinger and first-year classmate Kalli Jordan chipped in with nine kills apiece and Gabriel led UMaine with 14 digs and 28 assists.

Head coach Sue Medley and her squad traveled from Niagara to Loudonville, N.Y. Sunday to play a single match against Siena College.

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