Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
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Dartmouth
Alma Kovaci Records 100th Career Win
September 11, 2011 | Volleyball
Sept. 11, 2011
WEST POINT, N.Y. - Fifth-year head coach Alma Kovaci recorded her 100th career victory as the Army volleyball team picked up a 3-1 win over Dartmouth on day two of the West Point Challenge at Gillis Field House. Junior OH Ariana Mankus paced the Black Knights with 22 kills and 17 digs in her fifth double-double of the season. Freshman S Mary Vaccaro amassed 50 assists.
Army won the first two sets by 25-22, 25-19 scores before faltering, 28-26, in the third. The Black Knights put the match away with a convincing 25-11 win in the fourth frame.
Kovaci became the third coach in Army history to reach the century mark at West Point, joining legendary head coach Bob Gambardella (1983-1995) and her mentor, Glen Conley (1999-2006).
"The reason this is so special is because all 100 wins have come at West Point," Kovaci said. "It represents all of the cadet-athletes that have played volleyball for this amazing program. West Point is so special on its own because it represents so much more than just the game. It's been a privilege and an honor to coach here for the last five years."
Sophomore MB Megan Wilton and junior RS Francine Vasquez finished the match with 13 and 10 kills, respectively. Sophomore OH Margaux Jarka totaled a career-high 22 digs to lead five Army players in double-figure digs. Mankus and sophomore L D.J. Phee followed with 17 digs apiece.
Army (6-3) improved to 2-1 on the tournament and currently sits in second place. Arkansas, which beat NJIT in Sunday's first match, clinched the tournament title with a perfect 3-0 mark.
The Black Knights return to the court in Sunday's final match, taking on Hudson Valley rival Marist at 5 p.m. The match will be carried live on ITT Knight Vision.
