Pitt
James Madison
Volleyball Captures 3-2 Win Over James Madison
9/17/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 17, 1999
PITTSBURGH With a 16-14 win in game five off a kill from senior Melissa Alpers, the Pittsburgh Panther volleyball team captured a 3-2 win over James Madison tonight at Fitzgerald Field House.
Pittsburgh took an early 5-0 advantage over James Madison in game one en route to an eventual 15-12 win. The Dukes, however, rallied from a 4-0 deficit in game two and held the Panthers without a point the remainder of the game to take a 15-4 win. The Dukes continued their momentum and went on to record a 15-11 decision in game three. The Panthers rebounded to force game five with a 15-11 victory in the fourth game, setting the stage for Alpers' heroics.
Alpers and fellow senior Jenna Birkel (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Pius X) led the Panthers' offensive effort. Alpers' (Milford, Mass./Milford) match point marked her 22nd kill of the night and a new career- high mark. She also performed well defensively with her team-high seven block assists and 15 digs. Birkel, a middle blocker, added 20 kills and five block assists for Pittsburgh.
Senior Jen Nickels (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield North) and freshman Tari Boutin (Burnsville, Minn./Burnsville) also recorded double-figure kills for Pittsburgh with 16 and 13, respectively. Nickels also added six blocks to her effort.
For the second-straight match, the Panthers outblocked their opponent. Pittsburgh combined for 12 1/2 blocks to James Madison's nine. Pittsburgh was also strong on the serve, registering nine aces to the Dukes' six.
The win improves the Panthers' record to 5-4 overall and snapped a seven-match winning streak for James Madison (7-1).
Pittsburgh will return to action Sunday, Sept. 19, when they host Wyoming at Fitzgerald Field House. Match time is 1 p.m.
