Sept. 12, 2009
Final Stats LIU
Final Stats Colgate
The Siena volleyball team split two matches in the final day of competition in the Long Island University Courtyard Laguardia Volleyball Classic, falling to the host Blackbirds 3-0 (26-24, 26-24, 25-17) before topping Colgate 3-2 (18-25, 18-25, 25-23, 26-24, 15-10). Senior Burgandy McCurty was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Led by 22 kills and 10 digs from senior Svetlana Simic, Long Island posted a competitive straight set win in Siena's first match of the day. Aubrey Bobo led the Saints with 15 kills and posted a .577 attack percentage. McCurty added 14 kills and freshman libero Lesli Akeo had 23 digs.
Siena (2-5) got off to a quick start in the first set, taking an 8-2 lead, but Long Island battled back to tie things at 14-14. From there, the set swung back and forth until the Blackbirds took a 22-18 advantage on the strength of a pair of Simic kills. The Saints would not go quietly, putting in a late charge that Long Island held off to capture a 26-24 win.
In the second set, Long Island turned the tables, taking a 6-2 lead only to see Siena scratch back and tie things at 23-23. The Blackbirds capitalized on a Siena attack error and Racic added a kill to take home the set by the same score as its predecessor.
In the third frame, Long Island broke an 8-8 tie and stretched their lead out to five points for the majority of the set en route to a 25-17 win.
Siena had to battle back from an early 2-0 deficit in its second match of the day to post a dramatic come-from-behind victory. McCurty had 28 kills and 11 digs and Bobo added 20 kills and 22 digs. Akeo led all players with 27 digs for the Saints.
Senior Kau'i Robello took over the setting duties and was superb, posting 55 assists and 14 digs. She helped the Saints to narrow 25-23 and 26-24 wins and sets three and four after Colgate had won the first two sets convincingly 25-18 and 25-18. Siena won the decisive fifth set 15-10.
The Saints return to action in their home opener next Saturday against Loyola.
