Aug. 29, 2009

Final Stats

Contact: Greg Murphy

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Cleveland State remained perfect for the 2009 season with two more sweeps at the La Salle Invitational on Saturday at Tom Gola Arena. The Vikings began the day with a 3-0 victory over Farleigh-Dickinson and then concluded the tournament with a 3-0 sweep over host La Salle.

The Vikings won the tournament title, winning all four of their matches, 3-0.

Match scores against FDU were 25-9, 25-17, 25-15, while the Vikings topped La Salle, 25-11, 25-17, 25-16.

"This was a great way for us to start the season," head coach Chuck Voss said. "It's always nice to start your season with wins and this weekend gave us a chance to get a lot of different players in the lineup."

Sophomore Jordan Goad was named the MVP of the tournament after finishing with 125 assists and 26 digs in the four matches. She was joined on the all-tournament team by senior Beth Greulich who had 29 kills and 10 blocks, while hitting .268 in the four matches.

In this morning's win over FDU, the Vikings hit .340, while holding FDU to a .062 percentage at the net. Freshman Kara Koch paced the CSU offense with 16 kills, while Amy Benz had 10 and Greulich eight.

Goad notched 35 assists, six digs and five kills, while Maggie Bonomini (13) and Meghan Mental (11) reached double-digit digs.

CSU's defense was even better in the nightcap, holding the host Explorers to a -.010 hitting percentage as the Vikings finished with 15 blocks, including four each by Benz, Goad and Barhorst.

Koch had her second straight big offensive output, posting a match-high 10 kills. She finished the four-game tournament with a team-best 36 kills.

Liz Fazio added nine kills in the afternoon win, while Benz chipped in seven. In addition to her four blocks, Goad had 32 assists, five kills and four digs, while Bonomini registered a match-best 23 digs.

The Vikings will return to action next weekend (Sept. 4-5) when the Vikings host the CSU Invitational Presented by Crowne Plaza City Centre in Woodling Gym. CSU opens play in the event at 7:00 p.m. on Friday against Michigan State before playing Syracuse at 11:00 a.m. and MSU again at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.