9/9

Neumann 3, Kean 2 (8-25, 25-11, 25-13, 28-30, 15-12)

Neumann 3, Albright 1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22)

9/10

Neumann 3, St. Mary's 0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-21)    

Messiah 3, Neumann 2 (25-18, 21-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-13)

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Neumann University volleyball team went 3-1 over the weekend at the 2011 Buttermaker Tournament, hosted by Muhlenberg College.

On Friday, the Knights opened the tournament with a 3-2 win over Kean. Scores were 8-25, 25-11, 25-13, 28-30 and 15-12. Katelin Kuklentz (so. Spring City, Pa. / St. Pius) notched 15 kills and 10 digs. Caitlin Cantwell (jr. Clifton Heights, Pa. / Upper Darby) had seven kills and nine digs. Victoria Limmina (Wilmington, Del. / Padua Academy) led the defense with 29 digs. Cecily Scavicchio (sr. Boothwyn, Pa. / Garnet Valley) notched 41 assists, 14 digs and six service aces.

In the second match on Friday, Neumann defeated Albright in four sets, 20-25, 25-20, 25-21 and 25-22. Natalie George (sr. Rutledge, Pa. / Strath Haven) led the team with 14 kills. Kuklentz added 11.

After falling in the first set, crucial blocks and big kills by Katie Young brought the team a live and shifted momentum. She ended the match with nine kills. Limmina led the defense and had 30 digs. Maria Donahue (sr. King of Prussia, Pa. / Upper Merion) added 10 digs while Elaina Shooster (fr. Springfield, Pa. / Springfield) notched seven. Scavicchio handed out 53 assists.

Neumann took the match from St. Mary's (Md.) in three sets.  The serve receive passing were anchored by Limmina and Danielle Kwapicz. George led the offense hitting a .261 with 10 kills. Gianna Jones added seven kills and slowed down St. Mary's offense by playing big at the net. Kuklentz and Scavicchio combined for 33 digs and libero Limmina was solid on defense digging 20 balls on her own. Scavicchio also threw up 26 assists.

The final match of the tournament was a hard fought one versus Messiah as the match went an intense five sets, with NU losing 13-15 in the final set. George again led the offensive putting down 13 kills. Kuklentz was both an offensive and defensive threat as she put down 17 kills and added 15 digs. Cantwell had a .400 hitting percentage making little errors while having 11 kills in the match.

Scavicchio ran a varied offense with 51 assists in the match. She also managed 14 digs and four service aces. Limmina was quick in the back court and put 33 digs on the match. Donahue had strong serve receive passing while adding 11 digs of her own. Also helping the Knights defense was the blocking by George.

Throughout the weekend, the support from the new incoming players: Kelsey D'Imperio, Faith Cook, Ashley Clark, and Elaina Shooster kept the team motivated and it fueled the intensity of each match. The 3-1 result this weekend was definitely a team effort from everyone!

Natalie George and Cecily Scavicchio were named to the All-Tournament team.

Neumann (5-3) will open conference play on Tuesday when its hosts Keystone College at 7:00 PM.