Quinn has 14 Kills as Highlanders Earn First Home Win Over Robert Morris

Box Score vs. Robert Morris

Kelley Quinn

(Sept. 7, 2007) - Sophomore middle hitter Kelley Quinn had a career-best 14 kills and five blocks as the Highlanders defeated the visiting Robert Morris University Colonials, 3-1 (30-26, 28-30, 30-21, 30-15), at the UCR Tournament in the Physical Education Gym in Riverside Friday.

The Highlanders improved to 2-3 with the win, their second in a row. Robert Morris fell to 4-4.

Quinn, making her first career start at home, hit a match-high .520 (14-1-25) and added the five blocks, which tied a career-high set last week.

"I am excited for Kelley," UCR Head Coach Sue Gozansky said. "Besides the fact that she did so well hitting, her emotion on the court was what we needed to bring home the win. She was so important to us, showing the confidence and excitement that we needed."

Senior middle Angie Mitchell had 11 kills and hit .310 along with a match-high seven blocks. Junior hitter Raquel Salinas had an errorless match, hitting .375 with six kills in 16 attempts. Sophomore setter Brittney Murrey had 48 assists. In all, the Highlanders hit .242 (61-23-157) and had 12.5 blocks.

Amanda Graham led four Colonial players in double-figure kills, recording 14 kills and hitting .300. In all, the Colonials hit .134 (57-32-187).

In game one, the Highlanders had an early lead, but saw Robert Morris come back to take a 26-24 lead. But behind UCR libero Kimberly McNeal's serving, the Highlanders scored the final six points to win the game ,30-26. The Highlanders were up 16-8 in game two, but Robert Morris came back with the momentum and won 30-28 to tie the match at 1-1.

The Highlanders cruised in game three, blowing out a 6-6 tie into a 10-point lead at 25-15 before finishing at 30-21. Game four was more of the same, with the Highlanders' outscoring the Colonials down the stretch 21-6 to post a 30-15 win to take the match.

The match was the third of the day. In the opener, Army defeated Idaho State, 3-0 (30-27, 30-25, 30-25) behind 12 kills each by Brianna Stremick and Elizabeth Lazzari and 11 by Rachael Breinling. The second game of the day saw Robert Morris pull out a five-game, come-from behind win, 20-30, 30-19, 19-30, 30-26, 17-15. The match came right down to the wire, as the Colonials trailed for the bulk of the rubber match before taking their first lead of the contest at 16-15. RMU took the win a moment later following an Army hitting error, handing the Black Knights their first loss of the season (8-1).

The tournament continues tomorrow, Saturday, September 8th, at the P.E. Building. Play starts at 10:00 a.m. with Idaho St. vs. UCR, followed by Robert Morris vs. Idaho St. at 1:00 p.m. and Army vs. UCR at 4:00 p.m.