Pitt
Niagara
Panthers Sweep Niagara In Pittsburgh Classic Opener
9/10/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 10, 1999
PITTSBURGH - Behind the strength of its best offensive attack of the season, the University of Pittsburgh volleyball team recorded a 3-0 sweep over Niagara, Sept. 10 at Fitzgerald Field House. The match marked the opening contest of the Pittsburgh Classic held by the host Panthers, Sept. 10-11.
Pittsburgh limited Niagara to just four kills in the first game to take a convincing 15-2 victory. The Panthers continued their momentum and went on to capture the match with 15-10 and 15-7 scores, respectively, in the second and third games.
Seniors Melissa Alpers (Milford, Mass./Milford), Peggy Meinhart (Newton, Ill./Newton) and freshman Tari Boutin (Burnsville, Minn./Burnsville) combined for 36 of the Panthers' 48 kills to lead the Pittsburgh attack. Meinhart, producing her most proficient match of the season, hit at a match- high .588 (11 kills, one error, 17 attempts) clip. Alpers registered a match-high 15 kills and 11 digs, while Boutin had 10 kills and three aces.
Junior middle blocker Tricia Traczyk led Niagara with her seven kills, while fellow junior Krista Watterson added six kills of her own.
The victory improves the Panthers' record to 2-3 overall, while Niagara falls to a 1-4 mark.
In the second match of the tournament, Akron recorded a 3-0 (15-6, 15-13, 15-9) sweep over Radford and snapped a four-match losing streak.
Akron middle hitter Kim Branam led all hitters with 15 kills, while Radford outside hitter Laura Marcuson tallied 14 kills and 17 digs. Akron's Julie McDivitt added 10 kills and 18 digs for the Zips in the win.
Competition in the Pittsburgh Classic resumes Saturday, Sept. 11 with four matches at Fitzgerald Field House. In the morning matches, the Panthers face Radford at 11 a.m., and Niagara takes on Akron at 1 p.m. The evening matches will feature Radford and Niagara at 5 p.m. and Pittsburgh and Akron at 7 p.m.
