University of Washington
Florida Gulf Coast
No. 9 Huskies Capture Bulldog Invitational
September 11, 2010 | Volleyball
Sept. 11, 2010
Earlier Today: Carlson Powers Huskies Over Yellow Jackets
ATHENS, Ga. - The ninth-ranked Husky volleyball team sewed up the title at the Bulldog Invitational this afternoon, sweeping Florida Gulf Coast for its third win in two days. The Huskies improved to 8-0 for the year and have yet to lose a set, sweeping Georgia Tech earlier in the day, and then coming back to defeat the Eagles 25-13, 25-14, 25-14. Senior Kindra Carlson was named Tournament MVP as she posted 53 kills over the three matches.
Washington hit a season-high .464 against the Eagles, while Florida Gulf Coast was kept in check with a -.013 attack percentage, the second time this season that UW has forced its opponent into negative numbers. Carlson led the way once again with 14 kills and a scorching .619 attack percentage. Junior All-American middle blocker Bianca Rowland was nearly as efficient with nine kills at a .615 clip. Senior All-American Jenna Hagglund distributed 32 assists and had two aces and six digs as well.
In addition to Carlson, Bianca Rowland and sophomore Kelcey Dunaway were named to the All-Tournament Team, and redshirt freshman Jenna Orlandini was named the MVL, or Most Valuable Libero.
In the first set, Washington went on a five-point barrage very early to take a 7-2 lead. Carlson and Rowland had back-to-back kills to start things off, and a Rowland-Hagglund block combo extended the run. After another Rowland put-down, the Eagles needed timeout. Another 4-0 run soon after was highlighted by a pair of finishes from sophomore Kylin Muñoz and an ace from Hagglund to make it 13-6. Muñoz served up an ace and a ball-handling error forced FGC to call for a second timeout. Kelcey Dunaway tabulated her sixth ace of the season, and Gabbi Parker then got into the mix with a kill for a 20-8 lead. Rowland had three kills and a block assisted by Parker over UW's next four points, and an Eagles service miss gave the Huskies the set, 25-13. Washington outhit the Eagles .423-.130 in the first frame.
Florida Gulf Coast jumped ahead 4-1 in the second set, but UW settled in and won five of the next seven points to tie it back up at 6-6. Carlson and Rowland again had consecutive kills set up by Hagglund, and then the two teamed up for a block assist in the run. Jenna Orlandini put the Huskies ahead by dialing up back-to-back aces for a 9-7 lead. Kelcey Dunaway hammered one down for a 12-8 lead and the Eagles took their first timeout. Washington continued to build its lead and stymie the Eagles with tough serving, as a Muñoz ace made it 15-9 UW. Parker and Carlson found the hardwood, and FGC whistled for time again after an attack misfire made it 19-12 Huskies. On set point, Muñoz and Dunaway met a Jessica Barnes attack at the net and stuffed it back right back down for the point and the set, 25-14. Washington was very sharp offensively, with 12 kills and just one error on 24 swings for a .458 percentage, while the Eagles were limited to -.036.
Carlson kept firing away at the onset of the third frame, showing she still had a lot of swings left in her right arm despite going into her sixth set of the day. She had four kills in UW's first five points as the Huskies grabbed a quick 5-3 lead. Another connection for Rowland made it 12-8 in favor of the Dawgs. Hagglund then stepped to the line and served the Huskies on one of their longest runs of the season. She served UW to a couple points, the latter ended by a Muñoz finish, for a 15-10 lead and an Eagles timeout. But out of the break, Hagglund, dropped in an ace, followed by another Muñoz rip, an Eagles attack error, and one more kill from the Monroe sophomore, and Florida Gulf Coast had to use yet another timeout, still not out of the UW run. On the next point, Dunaway and Carlson teamed up for a stuff to make it 20-10. A miss from Dunaway finally ended the eight-point surge. Carlson's last kill of the weekend brought on match point, and the Eagles dumped serve to end it, 25-14. The third set saw the Huskies swinging freely and efficiently at .526, while Florida Gulf Coast struggled to -.120.
Washington will look for its third-straight tournament title next week when it travels to Pittsburgh to take part in the Pittsburgh Blue & Gold tournament and face the Pitt Panthers, Eastern Illinois, and Robert Morris.
