HOOVER, Ala. – The Lee volleyball team defeated Lynn University 3-0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-23) Friday night to open up the Gulf South Conference/Sunshine State Conference Crossover Tournament.
It was a back and forth first affair as the Lady Flames (13-4) exchanged blows with the Fighting Knights (4-9) before grabbing the opening set victory, 25-23.
The Lady Flames would then dominate the second set 25-15. Lee used a 6-0 run to push the lead to 23-12 before finishing off Lynn. The Lady Flames were nearly flawless in the attack as they tallied a sizzling .520 hitting percentage and committed only one error to jump out to a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
Coach Andrea Hudson's squad would then have to fight off a comeback effort by the Fighting Knights before claiming the third set by a score of 25-23.
Lee used a balanced scoring attack led by redshirt-junior Silvia Sartori with nine kills. Sartori would be followed closely by junior transfer Alex Reuter and Peoria, Ariz. native Quinne Daoust with eight kills. Sadie Johnson led the team in assists with 21.
Senior libero MaKayla Beebe would lead Coach Hudson's team with 12 digs. Sartori and Brooke Wilsman finished the night with 10 digs. Mary Katherine Givhan gave Lee some help on defense as well with five blocks on the night, followed closely by Bailey Kress with four.
"It's always nice to get a win at the crossover. The Sunshine State Conference is tough top to bottom," noted Hudson. "The offense was spread around well and we finally answered the call at the net with seven team blocks."
Lynn was led by Rafaela Fonseca with 15 kills, followed by Sonja Udovcic, who had 11. Alessia Di Rosa would have 31 of the 36 assists on for the Fighting Knights. Fonseca and Udovcic would help defensively with 13 digs apiece while Andrea McDonald tallied 10 of her own.
Lee will continue in the crossover tournament tomorrow as they will battle No. 4 in the nation and undefeated Palm Beach Atlantic at 1:15 p.m. EST. The Lady Flames will finish the night with Eckerd at 8 p.m. EST.
