Brooklyn, N.Y. ? The Robert Morris University volleyball team fell to Long Island n the Northeast Conference Championship match for the fourth straight year by falling, 3-0 (30-21, 30-22, 30-18), Sunday afternoon at the Wellness, Recreation and Athletic Center.
From the outset, the Colonials showed that a fourth title for Long Island would not be easily had. Robert Morris (18-11) put up a strong fight in the first game, going toe to toe with the Blackbirds attack. With the game tied 11-11, Long Island senior Martina Wagner rattled off three straight aces to swing the momentum in her team's favor. From there, the Blackbirds kept Robert Morris at a safe distance to earn a 30-21 win.
The second game started out tight as well, but Long Island used a quick four-point run with junior Jasmine Perez serving to build a 10-5 lead. Robert Morris tried to scrape its way back, but the Blackbirds' persistence prevailed. With Long Island leading 26-19, the teams went on a long, spirited volley with both the Colonials and the Blackbirds making terrific plays to extend the run. Long Island junior Martina Racic finally ended the two-minute play with an aggressive kill that brought the Wellness Center crowd to its feet. The Blackbirds went on to capture the second game, 30-22.
In the third stanza, Long Island used a six-point scoring streak to take a 15-6 lead. The Colonials were forced to burn their two timeouts early and the Blackbirds kept Robert Morris' feet to the flame, increasing the lead to 24-13. Racic put together three straight kills to close out the game, 30-18, and give Long Island the win.
The Blackbirds outhit Robert Morris by a 53-35 margin. The Colonials hit .098 for the match and were led by senior Emily Wolthuis (Byron Center, Mich. / South Christian) and junior Cassie Lee (Vista, Calif. / Vista), who each turned in eight kills. Racic finished with a match-high 14 kills while hitting .462. Wagner added 12 kills and Shelby Heggie chipped in 11. Svetlana Simic tallied a mach-high 20 digs, while senior Jennifer Stambaugh (Union Bridge, Md. / Francis Scott Key) led Robert Morris with 10 digs.
Heggie was named the NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team with Racic and senior Lindsey Patty, who tallied 41 assists in the match. Robert Morris was represented by Graham, Lee and senior Tawnya Storino (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Baldwin).
All-Tournament Team
Name Pos. Year Hometown
Amanda Graham MB Fr. Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie
Cassie Lee OH/OPP Jr. Vista, Calif. / Vista
Tawnya Storino S Sr. Pittsburgh, Pa. / Baldwin
Shelby Heggie* MB Sr. Laramie, Wy. / Northeastern J.C.
Lindsey Patty S Sr. Edmond, Okla. / Arkansas Fort-Smith
Martina Racic MB Jr. Pula, Croatia / School of Arts