Box Score

2009 USCA Volleyball Invitational Tournament Page

AIKEN, S.C. - The University of South Carolina Aiken volleyball team opened the 2009 USCA Volleyball Invitational with a 3-1 four-match victory over St. Andrews on Friday evening at the Convocation Center.

On Free Ice Cream Friday at the Convocation Center, USC Aiken satisfied the home crowds affinity for sweets and good volleyball by treating everyone in attendance to a strong effort on the court.

The Pacers (3-2) dominated the first two games of the match before faltering just a bit in the third match. USC Aiken regrouped in the fourth match to acquire the 25-11, 25-13, 17-25, 25-12 victory over the previously unbeaten Knights.

The Pacers were led in the match by freshman Lindsay Mortenson (Aliso Viejo, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic), who finished with a match-best 10 kills on 18 total attacks. Sophomore Jessica Loper (McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing Christian) finished just behind Mortenson with eight kills.

The ever present tandem of seniors Lauren Cedeno (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny) and Whitney Tabbert (Stewardson, Ill./Stewardson-Strasburg) set up the Pacer attacking barrage in the match with Cedeno recording 14 assists and Tabbert ending the match with 13 assists. Cedeno also had eight digs in the match.

Freshman Samantha Lukralle (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) led the Pacers in digs overall in the match with 11.

St. Andrews was led in its loss to the Pacers by Heather Bolwerk, who ended the match with eight kills. Jaime Hayes guided the Knights offensive attack, collecting 15 assists.

The defending champions in the USCA Volleyball Invitational, USC Aiken will play two matches on Saturday, Sept. 5. They will first take on Florida Tech at 10 a.m. before closing the tournament by playing Catawba at 3 p.m. The 2009 USCA Invitational utilizes two courts, but the Pacers will play all three of its matches in the main arena.

Tickets to the USC Aiken Volleyball Invitational are $5 for adults, $2 for children (18-and-under). Children under the age of six are free. USC Aiken students, faculty/staff and Pacer club members get in free.

The season opener for Pacer volleyball on Friday also began a new tradition at USC Aiken home volleyball matches as fans in attendance had the chance to win a free pizza compliments of Domino's by hitting a specially marked target on the hardwood floor of the Convocation Center with a volleyball. The promotion will take place each and every home match and it continues in both of the Pacers' matches on Saturday.