FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Geoff Rose

Saxon Place Second at AU Invite

ALFRED, NY - For the third year in a row, the Alfred University volleyball team finished second in their own tournament, losing to the University of Pitt.-Bradford (15-13, 13-15, 15-12, 9-15, 15-17) in an exciting five-game thriller in the championship game.

The Saxons (10-5) were up 2-1 over Pitt-Bradford before fatigue seemed to settle in, causing the team to drop the final two games of the match. Junior Andrea Willaimson (Walworth/Gananda) finished the match with 17 kills and 20 digs. Sophomore Stephanie Sprague (Portville/Portville) had a career-high 51 assists and junior Beth Merrill (Latham/Shaker) had 16 kills in the loss.

AU opened the day with a three-game sweep over Cazenovia, defeating them 16-14, 15-7, 15-3. Williamson had 10 kills in the match and added nine digs. Sprague had 25 assists, and senior Kelly Johnston (Manlius/ Fayeteville-Manlius) contributed with six kills and seven aces.

The Saxons defeated Hartwick in their second contest of the day, also in three games (15-1, 15-5, 15-8). Merrill led the team with 11 kills and four aces. Williamson also had a good match, knocking out eight kills and five blocks. Sprague picked up 16 assists.

Both Williamson and Sprague were named to the All-Tournament team. This was Williamson's third consecutive All-Tournament team, also receiving the honors at the Cortland Red Dragon Classic and the Ithaca Tournament.
AU returns to the court on Tuesday, September 21 when they travel to Nazareth College for a 7 p.m.contest.

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9/18/99