University of Connecticut Athletics
Women's Volleyball Finishes Third in UConn Toyota Classic
9/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
STORRS, Conn. (September 15, 2007) - The University of Connecticut women's volleyball team fell to Middle Tennessee State 3-1 (39-37, 23-30, 22-30, 19-30) in the final match of the UConn Toyota Classic, Saturday night in Gampel Pavilion. Middle Tennessee State was crowned the Classic Champions after going 3-0 throughout the weekend.
In Connecticut's final match of the Classic, the Huskies played one of their hardest fought battles yet, but the Blue Raiders recorded season-high numbers to keep a steady lead throughout the match, which led to a Middle Tennessee tournament victory.
Connecticut was able to take the first game of the night but the Blue Raiders' were too much to handle as they took the next three straight. The Blue Raiders hit a stellar 42.1-percent in the third game to earn the victory followed by another solid performance in game four, to give them the tournament win.
Rebecca Murray (Carmel, Ind.) led the Huskies with a career-high 18 kills while senior Sadé Chambers (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) had 13 kills. Sophomore Kate Seabaugh (St. Louis, Mo.) added 10 kills and eight digs while both Lauren Lamberti (Cary, Ill.) and Gina Heiderman (Niles, Ill.) had six kills a piece.
UConn setter Bridget Denson-Dorman (Golden Valley, Minn.) dished out 51 assists and had 16 digs while earning a spot on the All-Tournament team. Libero Jessica Isaac (Erlanger, Ky.) added 22 digs on the night.
Middle Tennessee was led by Ashley Adams who finished the night with 25 kills and 11 digs while setter Leslie Clark dished out 65 assists. Ashley Asberry and Izabela Kozon both made the All-Tournament team as they added 15 and 12 kills, respectively. Adams picked up the Most Valuable Player honors with her sold performances throughout the weekend.
The 5:00 p.m. match this evening, featuring Hofstra and Long Island, was also a battle to the finish as Hofstra slipped past the Blackbirds of Long Island with a 3-2 win (30-27, 24-30, 24-30, 30-25, 15-13). Hofstra was led by Harmonie Calinda with 23 kills and 25 digs while Long Island's Shelby Heggie had 22 kills.
UConn will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 22 as they travel to BIG EAST opponent Villanova for the Huskies' first BIG EAST Conference match of the 2007 season. The start of the match is set for 2:00 p.m.
All-Tournament Team
Ashley Adams - Middle Tennessee State - MVP
Izabela Kozon - Middle Tennessee State
Ashley Asberry - Middle Tennessee State
Shellane Ogoshi - Hofstra
Lauren Engle - Hofstra
Bridget Denson-Dorman - Connecticut
Shelby Heggie - Long Island
