UDC Women’s Volleyball Opens The Season With Two Wins At The UDC Women’s Volleyball Tournament

Washington, DC – UDC Women's Volleyball notched a pair of victories to open up the 2011 campaign.  As part of the UDC Women's Volleyball Tournament, UDC took on Elizabeth City State College at 12:00 pm, defeating the Vikings in 3 sets (3-0).  The Firebirds played back to back games, taking on Virginia State College at 2:00 pm.  The Firebirds disposed of the Trojans in three sets (3-0). 

Impressive performances were turned in by several Firebirds on the day.  Junior outside hitter/ middle back Vanessa Garley (Rio Rancho, NM – Rio Rancho HS) paced the offense with 23 kills over the two matches.  Junior libero Grace Perilli (Lewisburg, WV – Independence HS) lead the defensive effort for the Firebirds recording 18 digs over two matches.  Freshman Kamene Rose (Chula Vista, CA – Hilltop HS) started off her collegiate debut in impressive fashion with 31 assists and four serve aces in two games.  Senior setter/ right side Grace DeMichelis (Aurora, CO – Overland HS) lead the offense with 32 assists over two matches, and junior right side/ outside hitter Kelsey Boyd (Regina, SK, Canada – Sheldon HS) contributed with a balanced effort of 16 kills and 10 digs.

In the first match against Elizabeth City, UDC won the first set 25 – 21.  The first set was hard fought by both teams, but UDC was able to seal the set with an impressive kill by Kelsey Boyd.   The second set was very evenly match once again, but the Firebirds were able to pull it out with a score of 25 – 22.  The Firebirds were then able to pull away in the third set winning 25 – 14.

In the second match, UDC faced the Virginia State Trojans, again coming out victorious 3 – 0.  The Firebirds went out to an early lead and closed out the first set 25 – 14.  The second set started off in the same fashion with the Firebirds jumping out to a commanding lead, but the Trojans stormed back to tie the game at 24.  The Firebirds were able to score two consecutive points to close out the set 26 – 24.  In the third set, the Firebirds proved to be too much for the Trojans, closing it out 25 – 18.

UDC Head Coach Sheila Weaver was pleased with the Firebirds effort in their first outing of the year, "I thought for our first time out we played pretty well as a unit.  It is a good thing to start the season off 2 – 0, but we have two tough matches ahead of us tomorrow.  We passed as well today as we have at any point so far this preseason, and we executed well overall on offense today, so I am happy about that. "

The UDC Women's Volleyball Tournament continues tomorrow as the Firebirds take on LeMoyne College at 12:00 pm and Goldey Beacom College at 4:00 pm.  The tournament is held in the UDC Gym in the Sports Complex.