Volleyball Defeats Columbia in Opening Game of Fairfield Invite

(box score)

9/23/05–Seniors Jade Gold (Jupiter, Fla.) and Lizelle Jackson(Palmdale, Calif.) combined for 22 kills to lead Long Island University to a 3-0 victory (30-23, 30-22, 30-16) over Columbia at the Fairfield Invitational on Friday evening.

The duo led the attack with 11 kills each. The contest marked the eleventh double-digit kill effort –and ninth straight- for Jackson this year and the third consecutive double-digit performance by Gold. Ivana Vasiljevic (Brcko, Bosnia & Herzegovina) registered 42 assists, marking the sixth straight game the graduate student has posted 40 or more handouts.

Senior Adela Igniska (Baia Mare, Romania) collected eight kills, three service aces and five digs and newcomer Trevon Dyson( Rock Hill, S.C.) added 10 kills. Alexis Reed (Burtonsville, Md.) tallied a season-best 11 digs.

The Blackbirds held Columbia to a .242 hitting percentage, including a .194 performance in the second game.

The Lions were led by Natalie Gerling with 13 kills and eight digs.

LIU (6-8) continues play in the Fairfield Invitational on Saturday, September 24, taking on Albany at 12:00 p.m. They face Fairfield at 7:00 p.m.