Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 by Kevin Buczek
MURFREESBORO, N.C.-Freshman libero Amanda Grandy (Rolesville, N.C.) was named tournament MVP after averaging 4.1 digs per game in three matches, leading the Barton College women's volleyball team to sweeps over Concord University and Mount Olive College on Saturday to win the Janet Collins Invitational.
The Lady Bulldogs defeated host Chowan University, 3-2, on Friday night before seizing the team title with 3-0 victories over the Mountain Lions and Trojans. Barton (3-0) is undefeated through three matches for the first time since 2003.
"We are grateful to Peter Green and everyone at Chowan University who helped host the fourth annual Janet Collins Invitational Tournament this past weekend," said BC first year head coach Jim Freeman. "We're very thankful for Chowan's hospitality and all the efforts that went into providing the participants with a great weekend to start the season."
Grandy made an impressive collegiate debut this weekend with double digit digs in all three contests, averaging 15 digs per match to earn MVP honors. Classmate setter Meka Hoover (Seagrove, N.C.) and junior outside hitter Kati Wood (Pasadena, Md.) were named to the All-Tournament Team. Hoover set up the Bulldogs offense with 7.18 assists per game while adding 1.45 digs and 0.73 blocks. Wood supplied Barton with a 2.27 kills at a .300 clip, 1.64 digs and 0.64 aces throughout tourney play.
Coach Freeman added, "Our team played really hard and we are quite proud of what we accomplished this weekend against some quality competition. Obviously, we have a lot of volleyball left to play by we're pleased with the way we started .The team displayed plenty of grit and toughness. The entire unit really hung together and I think that helped us play pretty well all weekend."
Barton will next play in the USC Aiken Invitational with matches against Wheeling Jesuit University on Friday at 5 p.m., and Florida Tech on Saturday at 10 a.m.
MATCH ONE: Barton 3, Concord 0
The Bulldogs had their best attacking match of the tournament on Saturday morning, sweeping Concord University by a score of 25-21, 25-19, 26-24. Barton had 26 kills and only eight errors on 60 attempts for a .300 hitting percentage.
The Royal Blue and White used a balanced attack with all six starters totaling between two and six kills apiece. Freshman middle blocker Melissa Cochran (Knightdale, N.C.) led the group with six kills while Wood and sophomore Jordan Lee (Wilson, N.C.) each spiked five.
Hoover supplied the Bulldogs with a match-high 22 assists, five block assists, four digs and three kills on four attempts. Grandy dug up 12 digs and junior Chelsea Fleury (Camden, N.C.) scooped up nine. Lee made a team-high four solo blocks and Wood ripped three aces.
MATCH TWO: Barton 3, Mount Olive 0
Barton battled archrival Mount Olive College in a rare non-conference showdown with the tournament title on the line to conclude play on Saturday afternoon. After surviving a close first game, the Bulldogs rolled to the 26-24, 25-16, 25-19 win over the Trojans by hitting .264.
Cochran had her best match of the tournament by blasting 10 kills and hitting .389. Wood flirted with a double-double by tallying nine kills and eight digs.
Grandy and Fleury highlighted the Bulldogs defensive efforts with 17 and 17 digs, respectively. Fleury served up a match-high four aces and Hoover notched a season-best 29 assists.
Barton has defeated Mount Olive five consecutive times in women's volleyball.
