Volleyball Sweeps Pair of Matches at SpringHill Suites Eagle Invitational

Box score vs. Savannah State (PDF) // Box score vs. Jacksonville (PDF)

VIDEO: Post-match interview with Senior Moriah Bellissimo

VIDEO: Post-match interview with Senior Meredith Paskert

VIDEO: Post-match interview with Coach Chad Callihan

STATESBORO, Ga. – Moriah Bellissimo matched a career high with 19 kills and added 15 digs to lead Georgia Southern to a 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-20, 25-21) volleyball victory over Jacksonville in the final match of the SpringHill Suites Eagle Invitational Saturday night at Hanner Fieldhouse.

The win over the Dolphins was Georgia Southern's second of the day as GSU topped Savannah State 3-0 (25-9, 25-15, 25-12) earlier in the afternoon. 

The Eagles (9-5) finished the weekend 3-1 to earn second place in the tournament. Wisconsin finished first with a perfect 4-0 mark, after rallying in the fifth set to defeat GSU, 3-2.

Bellissimo and Eagle defensive specialist Alexandra Beecher, who posted a match-high 23 digs against Jacksonville, earned all-tournament honors.

Meredith Paskert collected 17 kills and eight digs in the victory over Jacksonville, and Enjoli Johnson added 12 kills. Kate Van Dyke tallied 56 assists and 18 digs, and Jamie DeRatt contributed seven kills and 11 digs.

Sammie Strausbaugh led the Dolphins (2-11) with 12 kills and 17 digs, while Gabriela Roman posted 11 kills and nine digs. Kylie Jacob recorded 10 kills.

Leading the match 2-1, the Eagles pulled away late in the fourth set. With the score tied 21-21, GSU scored the last four points of the frame. Bellissimo put the ball down on consecutive points, and Johnson ended a long rally with a kill. Paskert finished the match with a kill after another rally.

"The Wisconsin match last night was tough, but we looked at it and tried to take away some things we could do better," said Georgia Southern coach Chad Callihan. "Sometimes it's easy to hang your head, but the girls were excited to get back on the court. I was happy with our execution in both matches today and glad to see them respond that way."

Kym Coley led the Eagles with 10 kills and hit .714 in the match against Savannah State (0-16), while Kayla Henderson and Nicole Jeschelnik each posted six kills.

Coley added five blocks and Crysten Curry posted three as the Eagles had nine blocks as a team. Beecher collected 10 digs, five assists and six service aces.

The tourney provided the last non-conference matches of the season for the Eagles. Georgia Southern opens Southern Conference play at Wofford Friday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m., before taking on Furman on the road Saturday, Sept. 22, at 4 p.m.

"Each match of the tournament presented its challenges, and it was good for us to have to fight in great match environment," said Callihan.

All-Tournament Team
Wisconsin
Mary Ording - MVP
Deme Morales
Alexis Mitchell

Georgia Southern
Moriah Bellissimo
Alexandra Beecher

South Alabama
Torlandria Jones

Jacksonville
Gabriela Roman

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Category: Volleyball

Published on Sunday, 31 December 1899 19:00