Volleyball Downs VCU to Open Blackbird Challenge

(boxscore)

9/29/06 -- With a trio of Blackbirds registering double figures in kills, the Long Island University volleyball team defeated Virginia Commonwealth 3-1 (30-25, 30-27, 19-30, 30-18) to open play at the Blackbird Holiday Inn Express Challenge. Junior Martina Wagner (Friedrichshafen, Germany) led all players with 18 kills and 17 digs.

Junior Toni Perhat (Porec, Croatia) also tallied a double-double with 11 kills and 12 digs. Classmate Shelby Heggie (Laramie, Wyo.) racked up 14 kills.

The Blackbirds were victorious in each of the first two games, winning game one by a five-point margin and taking the second game 30-27. The Rams jumped out to a 5-0 lead in game three, but LIU battled back to tie the game at 10. Play remained close, with Long Island taking a timeout trailing 21-18. Three VCU points later, the Blackbirds were forced into another timeout. LIU scored the next point, but the Rams rattled off the next six points to take the game.

In the fourth game, the Blackbird built an early lead and kept VCU from gaining any ground en route to a 30-18 win and securing the match victory.

The Blackbirds outhit VCU by a 56-53 margin, and hit .168 for the match. The Rams hit .181 for the match.

In the second match of the day, South Dakota State defeated Sacred Heart, 3-0 (30-13, 30-17, 30-17).

Long Island will return to action tomorrow morning when the Blackbirds host Sacred Heart at 10:00 a.m. LIU will also take on South Dakota State at 4:00 p.m.