St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
IPFW (IPFW Invitational)
Red Storm Beats Tournament Host IPFW, 3-1
9/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 24, 2004
Fort Wayne, IN (September 24, 2004) - Co-captain Jackie Ahlers had five consecutive kills and two blocks in the fourth game to lead St. John's over tournament host IPFW 3-1 tonight in their first match of the 2004 IPFW Volleyball Invitational. The Red Storm improve to 7-4 (0-0 BIG EAST), while the Mastodons fall to 7-5.
Ahlers connected with setter Lisa Tedder (55 assists) 26 out of 46 times in the four game win. Sophomore Alicia Carmignani tallied a career high 20 digs and co-captain Yana Ruban recorded 17 kills.
The Mastodons pulled out to a 7-3 lead in game one with aggressive jump serving by libero Peachy Jankowski. The Red Storm answered back with three blocks by freshman LaToya Blunt and Ruban. Down by three at 13-10, co-captain Ahlers led St. John's with three unanswered attacks and a solo block to force IPFW to call a time out. Up 25-18, the Mastodons went on a 3-0 run to pull within four, but it was not enough as St. John's took game one, 30-23.
IPFW came out strong in the second game and took an early lead at 8-4. St. John's pulled to within two at 12-10, but was stopped by a Fabiana Souza kill down the middle of the court. After exchanging the lead throughout the 18th point, the Mastodons pulled out to a 21-18 lead against the Red Storm. Led by diving defense in the back row by libero Nicole Colaluca, St. John's tied the game at 23. Fueled behind a strong middle attack, the Mastodons went on a 7-0 to take the second game, 30-23.
Tied 1-1, the Red Storm dominated the first several points of game three. With the Mastodons storming back, Ruban set the tone for St. John's with two big blocks and a kill to extend the lead at 19-15. Led by Souza, IPFW fired back and tied the game at 24. Ahlers answered with three kills and a block late in the game to pull ahead and steal game three for St. John's, 31-29.
The Red Storm pulled out to a quick lead at 7-3 with aggressive defense by Colaluca and defensive specialist Molly Roloff. Up 15-11, the Mastodons went on a 2-0 run before Ruban put the ball away down the line. IPFW stormed back to take the lead at 21-19 with three consecutive kills by Cynara Martins and Claire Jackson. Ahlers pulled the Red Storm ahead with five consecutive kills and two blocks and take game four 30-25.
St. John's returns to action tomorrow morning when they will face Depaul at 12 noon and Evansville at 5:30 p.m.
