Beaumont, Texas - Casey Wright was named the most valuable player of the Lamar Volleyball Tournament after leading UAlbany to two wins on the final day of play at McDonald Gym on Saturday. The Great Danes defeated McNeese State, 3-1 (25-15, 25-22, 24-26, 25-16), before sweeping the host Cardinals, 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 29-27).

            Against McNeese State, Wright recorded a career-high 25 kills on a .449 hitting percentage to go along with nine digs and eight total blocks. Teresa Coppiellie finished with a double-double of 10 kills and 10 digs, while Laurie Gonzalez totaled a match-high 26 digs. Traci Vandegrift, who was also named to the all-tournament team, started off the day with 12 digs to go along with seven kills, seven block assists and two service aces. Setter Kaley Jacobson handed out 40 assists and six digs, while Abbey Wexel added 11 digs defensively for UAlbany.

            McNeese State (4-8) was led by Priscilla Massengale with 14 kills and a team-high 20 digs. Erin Huckabay added 12 kills, while Becky Bekelja finished with a double-double of 42 assists and 17 digs. Katie Kennedy and Whitney Ellisor also recorded double-digit kills, with 19 and 13, respectively. McNeese State finished with just three total team blocks, while UAlbany had 17 total blocks, and the Great Danes held the Cowgirls to a .082 hitting percentage.

            In the tournament finale, Coppiellie led UAlbany with 17 kills, while Dunja Prgomet added 11 kills. Coppiellie completed a double-double with 12 digs, while all-tournament team selection Laurie Gonzalez paced the team defensively with 15 digs. Coppiellie and Gonzalez also combined for five of the team's seven aces, as Coppiellie served up three, with Gonzalez adding two. Jacobson tallied 40 assists, nine digs and four block assists, while Wright wrapped up the tournament with a seven-kill, four-block performance, along with four digs.

            Lamar was led by Sierra Whitaker and Jayme Bazile with 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Bailey Smith led the Cardinals defensively with a team-high 16 digs, while Megan McStravick and Kaleigh Wright finished with 11 digs apiece. Alex Morford and Kaylee Piat recorded 24 and 16 assists, respectively for Lamar (5-7).

            UAlbany (8-4) will return to action on Friday, Sept. 24, visiting Yale in non-conference action, before hosting the Bulldogs in a return match to open the home season at University Gym on Saturday, Sept. 25.

-agate-

UAlbany def. McNeese State (4-8), 3-1 (25-15, 25-22, 24-26, 25-16).

UAlbany (8-4) def. Lamar (5-7), 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 29-27).

UAlbany 3, McNeese State 1 (Sep 18, 2010)

UAlbany 3, Lamar 0  (Sep 18, 2010)