Aug. 25, 2007
Box Score
WASHINGTON - In front of a record setting
crowd, the American University volleyball team defeated George
Washington University Saturday night, 3-2. In what was unarguably
the most exciting contest of the D.C. Volleyball Challenge, AU
captured the tournament championship coming from behind 2-0 and
closed out the tournament with an unblemished 3-0 record.
"We had a great weekend," Head Coach Barry Goldberg
said. "A lot of our players got a chance to showcase their talents
and we fought through a tough match tonight. We know we are a
powerful team and have the capability to come back like we did."
Students, parents, alums and local youth teams filled Bender
Arena near its volleyball capacity on way to breaking the record
for the largest attendance at a Washington, D.C., women's
collegiate volleyball match. The new record now stands at 1,516
fans and tops the previous record, also held by American, by 213.
With the packed arena cheering their every move the Eagles
struggled to find consistency throughout the first two games. "We
didn't have control early like we did later in the match and it was
difficult for us to communicate," Coach Goldberg said. Falling
behind early in both games, AU managed to remain close and took
leads midway through each. The surges of life were fought off
though as the Colonials seemed to have an answer for everything AU
could offer. Game two proved particularly odd for the Eagles as
their normally powerful offensive attack committed 10 errors.
Facing a 2-0 deficit, AU came out of the break with a new look.
Senior Tara
Stradling joined teammates on the floor after playing a portion
of game two, and freshman Katerina Cinkova
stepped onto the hardwood for the first time in her career. The new
lineup made up of both old and new reinvigorated the crowd as a
"Lets Go Eagles" chant spread through the arena. With Stradling
running the offense and two freshmen, Cinkova and Cassandra
Ricketts, playing particularly well, AU sprinted out to a 12-7
lead. "Tara was steady and that is what we needed. We also got a
great contribution from two of our freshman and both of these
combined really helped to turn us around," Goldberg commented. A
service ace by Cinkova on her first career serve kept the momentum
in the Eagles favor and the freshman held the serve until the lead
had increased to 10. With game point on the line at 29-15
experience took over on the court for AU. Senior classmates Chelsa Brooks
and Straddling connected for one of Brooks' six kills in the game,
slamming the door on game three.
In game four AU opened up to a 7-3 lead which was extended to
9-4, and extended even further to 15-7. The Eagles were unable to
keep the lead though as GWU battled its way back to within two.
With momentum teetering at 20-18 the Eagles finally took control
through an offensive mix highlighted by Brooks and Sukaj, earning
the victory 30-20.
After battling back from almost certain defeat AU needed just 15
points to secure the match. Ricketts, who had played steadily
through the match, exploded in the early stages of game five
scoring three of four early points helping the Eagles to a 6-3
lead. From there Sukaj took over, scoring three kills in the final
moments of play. Match point would come from a Ricketts smash off a
feed from Stradling.
Stradling would finish the game with a team high 34 assists. The
offensive attack was led by Sukaj's 27 kills with Ricketts and
Brooks putting away 14 and 13 respectively. Ivana Cebakova led
the defensive charge with 24 digs and Claire Recht once
again impacted heavily on the outcome of the game, recording one
solo block and six block assists.
The Eagles will return to action Tuesday, August 28, taking on
Howard University in Bender Arena, at 7 p.m.
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