Minnesota State University Moorhead

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS FOR THE QUINCY MATCH
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS FOR THE NEWMAN MATCH

MARYVILLE, Mo. - Head Coach Tammy Blake-Kath led the Dragons volleyball team (7-2) to the Comfort INNvitational title on Saturday as Minnesota State University Moorhead topped both Quincy (Ill.) and Newmann (Kan.) in three sets. The Dragons beat Quincy 25-23, 25-19, 25-18 and took the match from Newman 25-19, 25-22, 25-19.

Laura Tvrdik shied once again in the tournament as she had a combined 22 kills on the afternoon, leading the team in the win over Quincy. On the weekend she hit a hot .488 with 50 kills and eight total blocks. Leigh Splittstoesser proved a weapon at the setter position with 45 assits against Newman and also added 33 against Quincy. She averaged 12.62 assists per set in the tournament.

Seniors Ashley Pyfferoen and Mary Sussenguth also played vital veteran roles as they contributed 44 and 29 kills, respectively. They combined for 23 in the game against Newman.

"As a whole, we played better as a team than we have all season," Blake-Kath said. "With three to four freshman in the line up at all times throughout the tournament, it made our team a lot stronger and grow where we needed."

The freshman Blake-Kath is referring to were outside hitter Heidi Lensing and defensive specialists  Allie Knutsen and Katy Ness. Lensing had 41 kills in four games with five total blocks. Knutsen had 45 digs throughout the tournament, leading the team with 13 against Newman. Ness, the team's libero, had 37 in four matches and 16 digs on the day.

The Dragons will step on the court again on Fri., Sept. 11 as they will travel to Omaha, Neb. to play in the University of Nebraska-Omaha Classic. Their first game will be against Cameron (Neb.) at 12:15 on Friday.