FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9-7-07
Day One Recap: 2007 Chatham Orthopedics Volleyball Classic
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Day one of the 2007 Chatham Orthopedics Volleyball Classic saw the three teams who came in with the best records – undefeated Northwood (Mich.) and Florida Tech as well as one-loss Catawba – dominate play as each squad picked up two wins on the afternoon on the campus of Armstrong Atlantic State in Savannah.
Northwood (10-0) had the easiest day as the Timberwolves defeated Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras (1-1) in three games, 30-26, 30-23, 30-24, then defeated Coker (4-6) in three games, 31-29, 30-19, 30-22. Lana Sorokina led the Timberwolves against Coker with 18 kills while setter Lauren Chapman tallied 44 assists.
Florida Tech (9-0) also remained undefeated with a pair of wins, knocking off UNC Pembroke in four games, 30-32, 30-23, 30-19, 30-20, behind Mayne Pegorari’s 20 kills and 15 digs. The Panthers then knocked off Francis Marion (4-7) in three games, 30-21, 30-25, 30-25, behind another 13 kills from Pegorari.
Catawba improved to 9-1 on the season with two 3-0 wins, defeating UNC Pembroke, 30-23, 30-17, 30-27, then playing spoiler to the host Pirates of AASU with a 30-28, 34-32, 30-23 win in the nightcap. Melissa Powers finished the second game with an eye-popping 23 kills for the Indians.
The host Pirates were successful in their first match of the day, defeating Coker in four games, 30-32, 30-22, 30-16, 30-20. Allyson Ray led the AASU attack against the Cobras with 16 kills and a .406 hitting percentage, while Elimari Escalante notched 14 kills and 10 digs.
Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras picked up a win with a 3-0 victory over Francis Marion in the other match of the day, defeating the Patriots, 30-18, 30-19, 30-23.
Play concludes in the Classic on Saturday with another eight matches, beginning with Catawba taking on Francis Marion at 10:00 a.m. The host Pirates will face both undefeated teams tomorrow as they take on Florida Tech at Noon and Northwood at 6:00 p.m.
To follow along with day two of the Classic, visit the tournament webpage at http://www.athletics.armstrong.edu/volley/vb2007classic.html. Both of AASU’s contests will also be webcast with live audio and video.
- Pirates -