District of Columbia Claims Two Victories in Final Day of Firebird Volleyball Classic

WASHINGTON, DC – The University of the District of Columbia volleyball team hit over .300 pct. in both of its matches today as it swept both Elizabeth City State and Bowie State, respectively in the final day of the Firebird Volleyball Classic at UDC Gym on Saturday.

The Firebirds (2-1) first defeated Elizabeth City State, 25-14, 25-18, 25-18 early in the afternoon and then coasted past Bowie State, 25-14, 25-10, 26-24 in the tournament nightcap.

Vanessa Garley (Rio Rancho, NM – Rio Rancho HS) led the Firebird attack as she combined for 23 kills on the day, including a match-high 14 kills and a blistering .706 hitting percentage against BSU.  Julia Lynch (Spring Creek, NV – Spring Creek HS) and Tara Usko (Spring Creek, NV – Spring Creek HS) each combined for 16 kills in the two matches as well.  

Also, Cherakye Lopez (Lynchburg, VA – Timberlake Christian School) put forth a solid effort playing libero in place of the Firebirds two currently injured liberos, pitching in with eight digs for the day. Additionally, Kamene Rose (Chula Vista, CA – Hilltop HS) orchestrated the Firebirds attack with a combined 67 assists.

District of Columbia vs. Elizabeth City State

The Firebirds pulled away slowly but steadily in the first set en-route to an easy, 25-14 win. They combined to hit .321 pct (13 kills, 4 errors, 28 TA) as a team compared to .029 by ECSU.  Jazmin Rogers (Tucson, AZ – Palo Verde) led the Firebirds with four kills, and District of Columbia capitalized on six Viking errors.

In set two, Rose helped the Firebirds to a quick 5-0 lead with two service aces and the hosts never trailed in the set. Rose would score the game-winner on a kill off an assist from Ariana Scott, giving the Firebirds a 2-0 match lead courtesy of the 25-18 set two victory.

Once more the Firebirds started hot in set three. Lynch helped the Firebirds race to a 7-1 lead with two service aces and a kill. Later District of Columbia would let a comfortable 13-3 lead shrink after six straight Viking points. ECSU closed to within three points twice after that, but two critical kills by Usko down the stretch led to a 25-18 set victory and a 3-0 match sweep. The Firebirds hit .355 (16 kills, five errors, 31 TA) as a team in that final set.

District of Columbia vs. Bowie State

A very tight match early on in set one, four consecutive service aces by Rose helped catapult the Firebirds from a 10-8 lead to to a 16-8 lead and force a Bowie State timeout. The Firebirds then coasted to a 25-14 first set win with the final point being scored on a kill by Rogers.

The Firebirds broke open the second set after a 3-3 tie when Garley led them on a 10-0 run that included three service aces. Amber Walls (Temple Hills, MD – Surrattsville HS) scored the final point on a kill off an assist from Rose, and District of Columbia won the set 25-10 to take a 2-0 match lead.

The third set featured a battle that included nine ties and a few lead changes right near the end of the set. After a 10-10 deadlock, Garley led a 5-0 Firebirds surge with three kills to help District of Columbia claim a 15-10 advantage. Still leading 19-14, they allowed the Bulldogs to run off five straight points and force another tie, 19-all. Bowie State took its first lead of the set on a Kasi Eisenzimmer service ace to move in front, 22-21, and the Bulldogs would pull ahead once more, 23-22 on a Paige McIntosh kill. A kill by Rogers and service ace by Garley brought District of Columbia back in front, 24-23, but a Bowie State kill forced the ninth and final tie, 24-24. A Bulldog service error and attack error would ultimately be the difference in the match as the Firebirds held on for the 26-24 set three win and claimed the 3-0 match sweep.

The Firebirds are back in action on Friday, September 7^th as they travel to Allendale, MI for the Riverfront Hotel Grand Rapids Classic hosted by Grand Valley St. District of Columbia will play the tournament host first at 1 p.m. and then Lake Superior St. at 5 p.m.