Volleyball Wins Twice to Remain Perfect

(GETTYSBURG, Pa.) – The Carnegie Mellon University volleyball team competed in the second day of the 2014 Gettysburg College Battlefield Classic on Saturday, August 30 and remained prefect on the season pair of victories to improve to 4-0.  The Tartans opened with a 3-2 (25-14, 23-25, 25-21, 25-27, 15-11) win over Muhlenberg College before topping Gallaudet University 3-1 (22-25, 25-10, 25-21, 25-7).  
    
In the Tartans win over Muhlenberg, freshman Heather Holton (Haslett, Mich./Haslett) led the attack with 14 kills while senior Ali Celentano (Mission Viejo, Calif./JSerra Catholic) and sophomore Casey Salandra (Carol Stream, Ill./St. Francis) each turned in double digits kills with 10 apiece. Sophomore setter Emily Newton (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Chadwick School) tallied 39 assists while also collecting seven kills and hit .636.

Defensively, the Tartans registered 91 digs with sophomore Molly Higgins (Vero Beach, Fla./Vero Beach), who was named to the all-tournament team, leading with 26.  Newton recorded 19 and Celentano had 18.  Holton also led the charge at the net with five block assists and one block solo.

In the nightcap victory over Gallaudet, freshman Eliza Donohue (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) totaled 11 kills while hitting .625 to lead the charge for the Tartans.  Celentano once again collected 10 kills.  Newton along with freshman Amanda Thiele (Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins) combined for 33 of the Tartans 35 assists.  Newton tallied 20 and Thiele 13.

At the net, Donohue recorded four block assists and one block sole, Holton had two block assists and solos and Thiele totaled three block assists and add a solo.  Higgins again led the Cardinal and Gray with a career-high 27 digs.

The Tartans will be back on the court Tuesday, September 9, when they host St. Vincent College for a 7:00 p.m. dual match.