CHICAGO (Oct. 3, 2008) – After being idle for a week, Chicago State volleyball kicked off the month of October with the first-ever Cougar Invitational today at the Jacoby Dickens Center. The Cougars (0-17) dropped a three-set decision to Quinnipiac (3-16) in their first match of the weekend tournament by scores of 25-18, 25-17 and 25-15.
Redshirt junior Shamara Clark (Bloomington, IN/South) (Bloomington, Ind.) and junior Niena Posey (Chicago, IL/Lincoln College) (Chicago, Ill.) each tallied seven kills to pace Chicago State, while sophomore Hanya Minta (Eden Prairie, MN/Eden Prairie) (Eden Prairie, Minn.) contributed five kills. Junior Chy Crichton (The Dalles, OR/Mt. Hood CC) (The Dalles, Ore.) led the CSU offense with 16 assists and junior Megan Granko (Lockport, IL/Lincoln College) (Lockport, Ill.) contributed seven digs on the defensive end.
Quinnipiac was led by freshman Stephanie Biediger's nine kills. Freshman Kayla Lawler tallied a match-high 31 assists and three service aces, while senior Jenna Benigno and freshman Alyssa Naylor each added eight kills. Freshman Shelagh Dolan posted six kills and a match-best three block assists. Freshman Kelby Carey produced 12 digs and senior Christa Valentino notched seven digs for the Bobcats.
The Cougars conclude the invitational tomorrow with a pair of matches, starting with Providence at 2 p.m. CSU closes tournament play at 7 p.m., with a contest against NCAA Division I newcomer SIU Edwardsville.
~CSU~
