Pitt
Wyoming
Panthers Down Wyoming 3-1, Snare Pittsburgh Invitational Title
9/19/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 19, 1999
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Panthers volleyball team captured the Pittsburgh Volleyball Invitational with a 3-1 victory over Wyoming Sept. 19 at Fitzgerald Field House. Senior outside hitter Melissa Alpers was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, while middle blocker Jenna Birkel and setter Carrie Norris were selected to the All-Tournament team.
After a 15-9 win in the first game, Pittsburgh posted an impressive .647 hitting percentage and held Wyoming to negative figures in game two on the way to a 15-3 victory. The Cowgirls rebounded to force a fourth game with a 15-13 win in game three. But Pittsburgh went on to a 15-7 win to take the match in the final game.
Birkel (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Pius X) was solid for the Panthers with her match-high 12 kills, while Alpers (Milford, Mass./Milford) posted her sixth double-double performance of the season with 10 kills and 19 digs. Redshirt junior Jen Nickels (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield North) led Pittsburgh's blocking efforts with six block assists.
Norris (Fostoria, Ohio/Hopewell-Loudon) and outside hitter Stacy Renick (Eagan, Minn./Eagan) each came in for Pittsburgh in the final game and impressed. Norris recorded 18 assists, while Renick had seven kills off 10 attempts with just one error.
The win improves Pittsburgh's record to 6-4 overall, while Wyoming fell to 5-6. The Panthers return to action the first week in October when they begin Big East Conference play at Syracuse, Oct.1 and Notre Dame, Oct. 3.
Pittsburgh Volleyball Invitational All-Tournament Team:
Carrie Norris, Pittsburgh
Jenna Birkel, Pittsburgh
Lindsay Collingwood, James Madison
Karla Gessler, James Madison
Melody Friehauf, Wyoming
Melissa Alpers, Pittsburgh - Most Valuable Player
