Volleyball wins Blackbird Invitational

Saturday, September 10

Brookeville, N.Y.

12:30 p.m.

Syracuse University

7-2

Temple

3-5

Temple

Syracuse University

Sam Hinz was named tournament MVP

9/10/2011 6:46:28 PM | Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Temple Box Score | Lehigh Box Score

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – The Syracuse University volleyball team (8-2) captured the Blackbird Invitational championship as the Orange defeated Temple (3-1) and Lehigh (3-0) on day two at Long Island University.

In the SU's first game of day, the Orange dropped the opening set to Temple, but rallied to win the final three, topping the Owls (24-26, 25-12, 25-22, 25-22). Noemie Lefebvre was the team leader in both kills and digs, tying her season-high with 16 spikes and recording 20 digs.

Both Sam Hinz and Lindsay McCabe totaled nine kills, while Hinz had eight blocks and McCabe five. Setter's Laura Homann and Amanda Kullman combined for 48 of the team's 52 assists. Temple's Gabriella Matauita had 13 kills to lead the Owls.

In the second match of the afternoon, 14 SU players contributed for a three-set sweep of the Lehigh (25-22, 25-22, 25-15). Lefebvre and McCabe led the team with seven kills apiece. McCabe also added a game-high six blocks to her stat line.

The Mountain Hawks were led by Angelika Kopacz with eight kills. The Orange was helped out by 22 attacking errors by Lehigh.

Hinz was named tournament MVP as she had 18 kills and 16 blocks on the weekend. Joining her on the all-tournament team for Syracuse were Ashley Williams and McCabe.

“It was a good weekend overall,” assistant coach Kelly Morrisroe said. “Our offense and defense are staring to play as a unit and we seem to be hitting our stride.”

Syracuse is back in action next weekend when the Orange participates in the Blue and White Invitational along with tournament host Buffalo, No. 23 Dayton and Cornell.