WASHINGTON – In the final day of competition at the AU Volleyball Classic, the American University volleyball team split its two matches, defeating UMBC in straight sets, while falling to Virginia in a five-set heartbreaker.

At the conclusion of Saturday's matches, seniors Allison Cappellino and Monika Smidova were each selected to the all-tournament team. Cappellino averaged 3.0 kills and 2.45 digs per set for the weekend, while Smidova added 10.2 assists, 2.6 digs, 1.0 kills and 0.9 blocks per set.

Virginia's Lexi Riccolo was selected as the tournament MVP. She was joined on the all-tournament team by teammates Natalie Bausback and Haley Kole, UMBC's Zoya Trendafilova and William & Mary's Dessi Koleva.

The Eagles (8-5) began the day against UMBC, posting a 25-17, 25-13, 25-19 victory over the Retrievers.

Although American got out to a slow start with a 7-3 deficit early in the first set, the Eagles used an 11-2 run to pull ahead and stay ahead. AU outscored UMBC, 13-4, to close out the second set and led 19-9 in the third set before a late rally by the Retrievers accounted for the final score.

AU hit .372 against UMBC, including a mark of .524 in the second set. Freshman Aleksandra Kazala led the Eagles with 11 kills and 11 digs, while Cappellino added eight kills. Freshman Carmen Unzue was also impressive for American, recording six kills on seven attempts.

The Eagles took on Virginia in the final match of the day with the tournament title on the line. Again, American started out slowly, trailing 12-7 in the first set. However, AU put together a 13-2 run to take control in the 25-20 victory.

The second set remained close throughout, featuring 13 ties and seven lead changes, but the Eagles outscored the Cavaliers 4-1 down the stretch to claim a 25-22 victory.

Virginia rebounded in the third set, leading from the very beginning. After the Cavaliers took their largest lead at 21-11, the Eagles came battling back. However, AU's rally fell short with Virginia taking the set, 25-19.

The fourth set was another back-and-forth affair, but this time the Cavaliers came out on top, edging American in a 25-23 set victory to send the match to a fifth set. With momentum on its side, Virginia took control in the final set and cruised to a 15-7 win and the match victory.

Against the Cavaliers, Cappellino led American with 17 kills and 14 digs, while senior Kristyna Lindovska added 14 kills and five blocks.

With the bulk of their non-conference slate concluded, the Eagles begin their Patriot League schedule next weekend, Sept. 25-26, with a pair of road games. American will visit Lafayette on Friday before taking on Bucknell on Saturday.