Bulls Take Blue And White Classic Title

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo volleyball team improved to 6-0 at home on Saturday as UB took a pair of matches to claim its second straight weekend tournament title.  The Bulls began the day with a 3-0 win over Hampton and followed it up with a 3-1 victory in the nightcap over St. John's.  UB is now 9-2 on the season.  UB placed three on the all-tournament team, led by Most Valuable Player Lindsey Schlegel.

The Bulls hit a season-high .442 in the opening match against Hampton, taking the contest, 25-11, 25-14, 25-12.  UB was able to play all 12 players in the contest, led by 10 kills from senior Marisa Hornbaker. Freshman Dana Musil added nine kills, while junior Abby Niekamp had eight kills.  All three players recorded just one error.  Schlegel had 23 assists, while freshman Kelly Svoboda led the way with 12 digs.

In the nightcap, UB used 18 total team blocks, led by 13 total blocks from Bignell, who was named to the All-Tournament team.  Bignell's 11 block assists are just two off the school record for block assists in a four-set match.  Niekamp, who was also-named to the All-Tournament team, led the way with 12 kills against St. John's.  Hornbaker added 11 kills and Musil recorded 10. Schlegel had 38 assists, while tying her career high with six total blocks.  The Lancaster, NY native also added seven digs, an ace and two kills.

As  a team UB had eight service aces, led by five from Hornbaker.  Pyle, who had a career high in digs on Friday night, finished with a match-high 14 against the Red Storm.  Senior Kayla Govier, last weekend's tournament MVP, had seven kills, while tying her career-high with seven block assists.

"I am proud of the effort we gave throughout the entire weekend," said head coach Todd Kress.  "We played against some very good team's this weekend, but it is important that we defend our home court.  I thought tonight's match against St. John's was one of our best performances of the season, but we will continue to get better knowing conference play is rapidly approaching."

Joining Schlegel, Bignell and Niekamp on the all-tournament team was Anna Lejina and Michelle McDonugh from tournament runner-up Binghamton, Darlene Ramdin from St. John's and Aaryn Harrison from Hampton.

UB will be back in action next weekend when it heads to Army for four-matches.  Play begins at 10:00 am on Friday as Buffalo faces Hofstra.