Delaina Sarden and Taylor Gallart combined for 46 kills on the evening as the Âé¶¹Ô´´ volleyball team swept through the final day of the Âé¶¹Ô´´ Invitational by defeating Alabama State (25-19, 25-15, 25-13) and UAPB (25-12, 25-11, 25-16), Saturday at The Venue at Âé¶¹Ô´´.
The Knights (3-1) finished second in the tournament and return to action next Friday as they take on Elon on the opening day of the Holiday Inn Select Âé¶¹Ô´´ Classic.
Âé¶¹Ô´´ 3, Alabama State 0 – Box Score
UFC put together a balanced performance on both sides of the net in its opening contest as it hit .377 for the match while holding the Hornets (1-3) to just an .078 clip. The Black and Gold ratcheted up the defensive intensity up in the final game as Alabama State hit -.167 and recorded just six kills.
Sarden continued her dominant weekend with 15 kills on 21 swings with just a pair of errors in the opening match. The Lawrenceville, Ga., native also recorded five blocks for the third-consecutive match. Gallart made her first-career start as a Knight and responded with a strong all-around effort, tallying eight kills, four digs and one service ace. Senior defensive specialist Roxy Mendez was a steady presence on the back row with a team-high six digs.
Âé¶¹Ô´´ 3, UAPB 0 – Box Score
The Black and Gold were remarkably efficient in the night cap as they hit .456 as a team and committed just eight errors overall. Âé¶¹Ô´´ was especially strong in the serve and receive game as they racked up a season-high 12 service aces while only allowing one against.
The nightcap featured an interesting family dynamic for the Knights as freshman Shelby Foyer went head-to-head against her older sister, Jordan, a junior setter for the Lady Lions (0-4). Foyer, who has seen extensive playing time early in the season on the back row and in serve/receive, finished the match with three service aces and six digs. Gallart topped her efforts earlier in the day, leading all players with 13 kills on 23 swings for a .552 attack percentage. The Germantown, Md., native also chipped in with four service aces and a pair of digs.
Âé¶¹Ô´´ Invitational Standings
- Valparaiso 4-0
- Âé¶¹Ô´´ 3-1
- North Florida 2-2
- Alabama State 1-3
- UAPB 0-4
Âé¶¹Ô´´ Invitational All-Tournament Team
*Tournament MVP