Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
4-9
Oakland
6-5
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 24 | 19 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
| Army | 26 | 25 | 18 | 18 | 12 | 2 |
Oakland Tops Volleyball to Win Black Knights Invitational
September 14, 2014 | Volleyball
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Despite winning the first two sets, the Army volleyball team fell to tournament champion Oakland in the finale of the Black Knights Invitational on Sunday afternoon at Gillis Field House. Oakland won the match with set scores of 24-26, 20-25, 25-18, 25-18 and 15-12.
Oakland improved its record to 6-5 on the season after a 3-0 performance at this weekend’s tournament. Army fell to 4-9 on the season after going 1-2 in the three-match event.
“I’m proud of our fight today and played excellent volleyball in the first two sets,“ head coach Alma Kovaci said. “The competition level was very high throughout the match today and we will continue to grow and learn from the experience. I’m disappointed that we lost, but the result shows that we need to improve our execution and finish out matches when we have a lead. We now have to turn our attention to Bucknell and Lehigh next weekend.”Nicole Perri had 17 kills to lead Army offensively and she was recognized with a place on the Black Knights Invitational All-Tournament Team. Rookie Jaden Pickell added 14 kills and junior setter Vanessa Edwards totaled 47 assists and nine digs. Senior Deanna Dalton posted a team-high 19 digs, while freshman Shannel Chong added 11.
The Black Knights came out on top in an exciting opening set thanks to a 5-1 run that pulled the team within a point at 18-17. The stretch began with a kill by Fairfield and sent Edwards to serve, where she started two more Army points. Oakland maintained the lead (23-21) when Army called timeout. After the stoppage, the Black Knights scored five of the final six points to steal the set from the Golden Grizzlies. A kill by Perri and Dalton’s ace tied the game at 23-23, before the teams alternated points and were tied again at 24-24. A kill by Olivia Fairfield gave Army the lead and Oakland’s attack error made the difference.
Army followed up its first-set victory with a 25-19 win in the second. After playing to an 11-11 tie, Army took the lead for good with three consecutive points, two by Fairfield and another by Carolyn Bockrath that put the home side ahead 14-11. An Army miscue cut the lead to two, but Army put down the next two points and cruised to the six-point win.
Looking to avoid a sweep, Oakland came out strong in the third set and built a 15-10 lead and held on for a 25-18 win that secured the tournament title.
Oakland rode its momentum early in the fourth set, tallying the first three points and six of the first seven before Army used a timeout. Oakland scored the next five points and led 11-1 in the set. Army threatened to get back in the game and closed the gap to four on multiple occasions, but the Golden Grizzlies held on for the 25-18 triumph.
The two sides were even through the first 14 points and Oakland was ahead 8-7 as they switched sides. After Army tied the score at 8 apiece, Oakland earned the next two points and Army quickly called timeout. The Black Knights evened the score at 11-11 on a block by Vanessa Wesley and Fairfield at the net. Oakland answered with consecutive kills as Army used its final timeout. The Grizzlies put down two of the last three points to win the set 15-12.
Patriot League play resumes for the Black Knights next weekend when they travel to Bucknell for a Friday night matchup with the Bison. On Saturday, Army plays Lehigh at 4 p.m. in Bethlehem, Pa.
Tournament Results
Holy Cross 3, Army 1
Oakland 3, Binghamton 1
Oakland 3, Holy Cross 0
Army 3, Binghamton 1
Holy Cross 3, Binghamton 1
Oakland 3, Army 2
Tournament Standings (point differential)
1. Oakland 3-0 (+6)
2. Holy Cross 2-1 (+1)
3. Army 1-2 (-1)
4. Binghamton 0-3 (-6)
Black Knights Invitational All-Tournament Team
Jessica Dood, Oakland (MVP)
Sammy Condon, Oakland
Amanda Baker, Oakland
Emily Popp, Holy Cross
Katie McKernan, Holy Cross
Nicole Perri, Army
Megan Burgess, Binghamton
