READING, Pa. – Senior Karita Lewis (Frederick, Md.) served up her seventh ace of the match Saturday afternoon as Gallaudet University celebrated a 3-1 women’s volleyball win over SUNY Morrisville to capture the 2021 United East championship on the campus of Penn St.-Berks. GU won the first two sets 25-19, 25-18 before the Mustangs took the third set, 26-28, to set the stage for the Bison to win 25-17 in the fourth.
Gallaudet (21-11) clinches the automatic bid and will represent the United East in the 2021 NCAA Division III women’s volleyball tournament next week. This is the first conference championship for the Bison since 2016. GU won seven straight North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) championships from 2010-16 and this title is its eighth overall in this conference. The NEAC changed names to United East Conference this past August.
“It feels great to win the championship today! Our ultra aggressive serving didn’t allow Morrisville to build any momentum and our stout defense won it at the end,” said Gallaudet coach Lynn Ray Boren. “Elina kept our offense on fire with her consistent hitting as she won the MVP award this weekend.”
Senior opposite Elina Rubinshteyn (Austin, Texas) earned United East tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors after a 17-kill performance in the championship match with a .310 hitting percentage and two block assists. Lewis recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 14 digs to go with seven service aces and three block assists. Sophomore opposite Emily Wright (Auburn, Calif.) tallied 12 kills while junior libero Mia Upchurch (Austin, Texas) made a match-high 17 digs. Sophomore setter Emma Giuntoli (Austin, Texas) passed out 43 assists and made 11 digs. Freshman middle hitter Anya Pothorski (Indianapolis, Ind.) made seven blocks (one solo)
SUNY Morrisville (17-12) was led by Kirsten Florio (14 kills), Brianna Gates (10 kills, 12 digs) and Siobhan Moore (23 assists).
BISON TRACKS
- The Bison had 14 service aces in the win
- GU defeated SUNY Morrisville, 3-0, last weekend (Oct. 30)
- The Bison are 2-2 in conference tournament play against the Mustangs
- These two teams met in the 2017 NEAC championship where SUNY Morrisville won, 3-1
- Gallaudet has won six straight matches
UP NEXT
Gallaudet will next watch the NCAA Division III women’s volleyball selection show on Monday, Nov. 8, at 12:30 p.m. (Eastern) to find out where they are going next week and who they will face in the tournament.
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