University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Tulane
Campbell Records a Career High in Kills
9/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 4, 2010
PITTSBURGH--Sophomore Alexa Campbell recorded a career night, as the University of Pittsburgh women's volleyball team earned its first win of the season over Tulane, 3-0, this evening in the final match of the Pitt Invitational, held at Fitzgerald Field House. The Panthers improved to 1-6 on the season with scores of 25-23, 26-24 and 25-21.
Campbell earned the start at outside and posted a career-high nine kills and six digs. She also tallied an ace in the second set.
As a team, the Panthers recorded season's bests in kills (44), blocks (12) and aces (5). Pitt out-blocked the Green Wave 12-5 and held Tulane to a .169 hitting clip. The match included 21 ties and eight lead changes.
The Panthers were led by Pitt Invitational All-Tournament selection Imani Harper with 10 kills and six blocks. Sophomore middle Jenn Katona added 10 kills and four blocks in the match.
Senior Rachel Kalberer recorded a team-high 11 digs to lead the defense. Additionally, senior libero Brittany Fallis chipped in 10 digs.
In the first set of the match, Pitt held a 6-5 advantage with a block from Harper and Kalberer.
Later, the Green Wave had a short rally and would lead 15-11, forcing a Pitt timeout. Coming out of the huddle, a Katona kill and a block from Harper and senior Amy Town would cut the lead to 15-13.
Next, a play was discussed and called in favor of Tulane. Motivated by the call, the Panthers would push and trail 17-16, forcing a Tulane timeout.
Senior Allyson Hodnik's ace then tied the set at 20. The Panthers and Green Wave kept it close through the next few points, including a block assist from Katona and Town.
Town's kill gave Pitt a 23-22 lead. On the next play, Tulane attacked the ball wide to give the Panthers a set point. The Green Wave held Pitt for a point, but Harper's shot to the right back corner ended the set at 25-23.
Town and Harper had a game-high four kills in the set.
Pitt opened the second set with a 5-1 lead, thanks to Campbell's ace.
As play continued, Hodnik set Harper on back-to-back kills for a 14-11 advantage.
Next, sophomore Michelle Walker entered the game at 15-12 and immediately made a contribution with a block assist alongside Harper. Pitt led 16-12 and forced Tulane to take their second timeout of the game.
Tulane rallied and tied the set at 18, but a second ace from Hodnik gave Pitt the lead back (19-18). Much like the first set, the score remained close, including a tie at 22-22. However, kills from Kalberer and Campbell would set up a game point.
The Green Wave pushed to tie it again at 24-24, but kills from Harper and Campbell gave the Panthers its second set at 26-24. At the end of two, Campbell had seven kills and four digs.
In the final set of the match, Pitt took a 3-1 lead with a solo block from Harper. That stuff was her fifth of the match.
The Panthers led 18-16 following an ace from Kalberer. As expected, Tulane fought to tie it at 19-19. Pitt then took control off a solo block from Katona. Katona accounted for three of Pitt's next five points.
Town gave the Panthers match point with a kill, while a block assist from Kalberer and Harper won the match.
Up next, Pitt faces Ohio in the Ohio University Invitational on Friday, Sept. 10, at noon.
Pitt Invitational All-Tournament Team
MVP-Jaclyn Hart - Purdue
Carly Cramer - Purdue
Catherine Rebarchak - Purdue
Kaycee Green -Lipscomb
Alex Kelly - Lipscomb
Imani Harper - Pitt
Milica Jovic -Tulane
