Pitt
Radford
Panthers Capture Pittsburgh Volleyball Classic
9/11/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 11, 1999
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh volleyball team captured the Pittsburgh Volleyball Classic with a 3-1 victory over Akron, Sept. 11 at Fitzgerald Field House. Panther outside hitter Melissa Alpers was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Pittsburgh came out strong and won the first two games in the championship match with scores of 15-11 and 15-8, respectively, before Akron rallied to force a fourth game with a 15-10 decision in game three. The Panthers, however, rebounded for a 15-7 win in the final game to secure the tournament title.
Alpers (Milford, Mass./Milford) had a match-high 17 kills in the Panthers' win to go along with 18 digs, five blocks and three aces. Senior middle blocker Jenna Birkel (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Pius X) was also solid, recording 15 kills, while junior Marcia Thiesen (Chatham, Ontario/John MacGregor) had 12 kills and a match-high 22 digs. Freshman setter Carrie Norris (Fostoria, Ohio/Hopewell-Loudon) paced the Panthers' attack and tallied 53 assists and 15 digs.
Pittsburgh opened Saturday's competition with a 3-0 sweep of Radford with the help of stellar play from Birkel and Alpers. Birkel registered a match-high .579 hitting percentage with her 12 kills in 19 attempts with only one error while adding a season-high seven blocks. Alpers led all hitters with 14 kills and added 11 digs and three aces. Thiesen also performed well, contributing 11 kills and five digs.
After a 15-8 win in game one, Pittsburgh battled Radford throughout the second game until the Panthers prevailed with the 16-14 win. The Panthers came out strong in game three. Norris, who notched two aces, served the Panthers through nine straight points to lead Pittsburgh to a 15-8 win.
In other matches today, Radford captured third place in the Pittsburgh Classic with a 3-0 win over Niagara. Akron also won a 3-0 decision over Niagara.
The Panthers' record improves to 4-3 overall after the weekend's competition. Pittsburgh returns to action Wednesday, Sept. 15 when it hosts 14th-ranked Ohio State at Fitzgerald Field House. Match time is set for 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh Classic All-Tournament Team:
Laura Marcuson, Radford
Katie Sherwood, Radford
Kim Branam, Akron
Kim Schaper, Akron
Jenna Birkel, Pittsburgh
Peggy Meinhart, Pittsburgh
Most Valuable Player: Melissa Alpers, Pittsburgh
Sept. 10, 1999 Match Results:
Pittsburgh def. Niagara, 3-0 (15-2, 15-10, 15-7)
Akron def. Radford, 3-0 (15-6, 15-13, 15-9)
Sept. 11, 1999 Match Results:
Pittsburgh def. Radford, 3-0 (15-8, 16-14, 15-8)
Akron def. Niagara, 3-0 (15-6, 15-7, 15-3)
Radford def. Niagara, 3-0 (15-10, 15-10, 15-4)
Pittsburgh def. Akron, 3-1 (15-11, 15-8, 10-15, 15-7)
