SportsVolleyball

Players shine in National Championship tournament

Sophomore Alex Lienert hits through the block of a Clarke College defender and chalks up one of his 52 tournament kills. Lienert hit .404, had 11 blocks and 18 defensive digs on the tournament, which earned him the tournament MVP. Lienert consistently led La Verne throughout the season in every offensive category. / photo by Ian Gratz
Sophomore Alex Lienert hits through the block of a Clarke College defender and chalks up one of his 52 tournament kills. Lienert hit .404, had 11 blocks and 18 defensive digs on the tournament, which earned him the tournament MVP. Lienert consistently led La Verne throughout the season in every offensive category. / photo by Ian Gratz

by Damien Alarcon
Sports Editor

Three players from the national champion University of La Verne volleyball team received tournament honors last weekend at the 1999 Molten Division III Invitational Championships.

Senior Chris Peterson and junior Matt Wright were named to the All-Tournament squad which consisted of six tournament contenders. Sophomore Alex Lienert earned the tournament’s highest honor, as he was named Most Valuable Player.

Lienert, who plays outside hitter, credited Wright for his extraordinary performance of 33 kills in the championship match.

“Matt played an excellent game,” Lienert said. “He was giving me the ball all night, and I owe him everything for that.”

Senior co-captain Chris Peterson tries to put the ball away, as sophomore Jason Kolodge covers up. Peterson still managed to collect 14 kills in the championship match and had 13 the previous day against tournament host Clarke College. These stats earned Peterson a place on the All-Tournament Team. / photo by Ian Gratz

Lienert had only 11 attack errors out of his 53 attempts, leading to a .415 attack percentage. He also had eight digs and assisted on six blocks.

Wright, the team’s setter, had 63 assists and 12 defensive digs. Outside hitter Peterson had 14 kills and 10 digs.

In the semifinal round match against Clarke College, Lienert once again led the offensive attack with 19 kills, 10 digs and a .394 attack percentage. Peterson had 13 kills and seven digs while Wright had 45 assists and nine digs.

“I couldn’t think of a better way to end a career than today,” said Peterson. “It is just totally exhilarating.” Peterson missed two months of the season due to a fractured bone in his right hand.

“Being inactive for so long took a lot out of me and my ability,” said Peterson. “I didn’t feel like I was 100 percent, but I felt like I was good enough to contribute to the team.”

Also selected to the All-Tournament team with Wright and Peterson were brothers, Jeff and Gregg Rosowski (D’Youville), Troy Weisgram (Clarke) and Rod Kirby (Juniata).

Damien Alarcon
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Ian Gratz
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