Sept. 26, 2006
Final Stats
Kamisha Kellam killed 15 of her 21 attacks and added 10 blocks to lead UAlbany past stubborn Siena 3-1 (30-24, 27-30, 30-28, 30-20) at University Gymnasium in Albany Tuesday night. Burgandy McCurty led four Siena players in double figure kills with 15.
The match was even throughout, as Siena (8-8) showed great progress from its previous three meetings with the Great Danes. UAlbany (7-7) topped the Saints convincingly in straight games the past three seasons. Siena was also playing without senior captain Christie Gustafson.
UAlbany held off a late Siena charge to take the first game, 30-27. In the second, Siena rallied behind the service of Kaui Robello to turn a two-point deficit into a 22-17 lead and held on for a 30-27 triumph. In the key third game, the Saints rallied from a 24-19 setback to tie the score 27-27, but Ashley DeNeal finished off the game following a free ball to break Siena's service and give the Great Danes a 30-28 win. UAlbany used an 11-1 rally to break a 16-16 tie in the decisive fourth game and took the match with a 30-20 win.
Kathi Kobayashi led Siena's impressive back row showing with 18 digs. Robello had 17 to go along with 11 kills, while Nadiege Honore had 17 digs and 12 kills. Jessica Hackett and Celeste Sisson also played well in the back row, consistently providing quality passes to setter April London who finished the match with 50 assists, six kills and two aces.
UAlbany controlled the action at the net, out-blocking Siena 14-5. Kellam led the charge with 10 rejections. Samantha Jacobsen and Hillary White had four each.
Siena's middle played well offensively. In addition to McCurty, junior Janine Pesusich killed nine of her 20 attacks, playing one of her best matches of the season.
Shelby Goldman led all players with 17 kills. Ashley Krenshaw had 15 and Ashley DeNeal had 14.
The loss snapped a six-match winning streak for Siena which returns to MAAC action this weekend at Loyola (Saturday) and Rider (Sunday). Both matches are set for 11 a.m.
