Sept. 8, 2007

Final Stats

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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Sweeping through their second consecutive match, the Gamecock volleyball squad downed Appalachian State, 30-18, 30-17, 30-27, to claim the 2007 Nike Gamecock Invitational tournament crown. South Carolina improved to 7-2 on the season, while the Mountaineers fell to 2-7.

Freshman Megan Laughlin led the way for the Gamecocks, knocking down 10 kills in the contest, hitting at a .500 clip, and contributing six blocks. Sophomore Ivana Kujundzic and junior Belita Salters both had eight kills, while Kujundzic added 11 digs with her .437 hitting percentage. Salters also had a .500 hitting percentage. Junior libero Dinelia Concepcion had 12 digs on the match. Freshman Jordan Bradosky had her second 30-assist match in the Garnet and Black with 32, while she also contributed five aces.

The Mountaineers were led by Brittany Zahn, who had 14 kills in the match. Dianna Thomas added 10 and led her squad with a .438 hitting percentage.

After the teams stayed close through the first half of game one, South Carolina came back to finish strong, winning 15 of the final 17 points to capture the 30-18 victory. Laughlin had an outstanding game, collecting five kills, two blocks and one ace. Kujundzic put down five kills, dug out five balls and led the squad with a .625 hitting percentage and added an ace. Bradosky set up 11 kills and contributed two aces in a row to put a dagger in the Mountaineers during the final run.

Salters had a perfect second frame, putting down all three kills she attempted during the Gamecocks’ 30-17 win. USC started with a 7-0 run helped along by two of freshman Dani Bedore’s three kills in the game. After Appalachian State brought the game within five at 13-8, Bradosky stepped up with the first of her two aces of the frame and helped the Gamecocks roll five straight to stretch the lead out to 10. Bradosky came back to close out the game with an ace as well.

Game three saw the Gamecocks take a 29-20 lead before the Mountaineers stormed back with seven consecutive points. However, Kujundzic ended the threat with her kill down the right line to clinch the game and match. In the frame, Annie Thomas and Salters both had four kills, while Kujundzic and Laughlin added three each.

Salters was selected as the tournament MVP, while Concepcion was chosen as the Best Libero. Kujundzic and Laughlin also made the all-tournament team.

“We played really well this weekend,” said Gamecock head coach Ben Somera. “Our offense got rolling. Every match we had good runs serving and playing defense in every match. I was pleased with our overall play. There are definitely some things that we need to get better at, and we’ll get in the gym this week and work on that.”

In earlier action, Rice defeated Troy, 24-30, 30-24, 30-26, 30-24. Five Owls recorded double-digit digs, with Jennifer McClean leading all players with 17 kills and 22 digs. The Trojans’ Jean McCarthy collected a double-double with 15 kills and 23 digs.

South Carolina opens up Southeastern Conference action next Friday at 7 p.m. at home against the Auburn Tigers.

2007 Nike Gamecock Invitational All-Tournament Team