George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
American
Volleyball Wins DC Challenge Title; Defeats American, 3-1, and GMU, 3-1
8/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 26, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC -- The George Washington volleyball team rolled to the title of the inaugural DC Challenge with a 3-0 record after dispatching both American and George Mason Saturday at Charles E. Smith Athletic Center. The Colonials defeated American, 19-30, 30-26, 30-25, 30-25 in one hour, 59 minutes Saturday afternoon. GW then got past George Mason, 30-26, 30-21, 29-31, 30-21 in a two-hour, six-minute match Saturday night.
GW junior Janine Brown, named the tournament's MVP, pounded her career-high 24 kills and had 15 digs for her second straight double-double to start the season in GW's win over American. GW senior co-captain Juliene McLaughlin added 12 kills and a team-high 20 digs in the AU game. American's Rubena Sukaj matched Brown's offensive outburst with 24 kills and also was named to the All-Tournament team. GW combined to hit .284 (63-19-155) against the Eagles' .244 (63-22-168).
Against George Mason, Brown again led GW with 16 kills as one of four different Colonials with double-figure kills in the match. Brown added 14 digs. All-Tournament selection Abba Greenleaf contributed 15 kills and hit .394 with four block assists. McLaughlin and freshman Abby Syverson each added 13 kills and McLaughlin again had 20 digs for the second straight match. GW hit .250 as a team compared to .189 for the Patriots. GMU's Rebecca Walter led the Patriots with 21 kills while Kristen Byler added 25 digs.
Final Team Standings:
1-George Washington 3-0 (9-3 games record)
2-American 1-2 (5-6)
3-Georgetown 1-2 (5-6)
4-George Mason 1-2 (5-6)
The DC Challenge All-Tournament team (as selected by the coaches):
Janine Brown, GW (MVP);
Abby Syverson (GW);
Abba Greenleaf (GW);
Rubena Sukaj (American);
Ivana Cebakova (American);
Jessica Buffum (Georgetown);
Jaqueline Kohler (George Mason)
GW (1-0) next hosts the GW Invitational Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2-3 at Smith Center. GW hosts Coppin State at 12:30 p.m. and Fairleigh Dickinson at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and plays Loyola on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. also at Charles E. Smith Athletic Center.
