2008 Woodie Awards
Can you dig it?
Gorillas stun No. 3 West Texas A&M en route to home tourney win
Josh Letner
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Sports
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Collegio Sports Editor
Teamwork was the name of the game as the Gorillas volleyball squad (16-3, 4-2 MIAA) went 3-0 last weekend to claim victory in the Pitt State Classic.
The Gorillas began the tournament with their most impressive win of the season, knocking off the No. 3 team in the nation, the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs (16-3).
The Gorillas won three straight games (25-21, 25-21, 25-23) to sweep the Lady Buffs on Friday night. Neither team had a significant statistical advantage, but Pitt managed four service aces while not allowing one from the Lady Buffs.
The Gorillas finished the game with four players in double figures in kills. Senior Linda Igbinigie led Pitt with 12. Junior Pamela Cartagena finished with a double double with 11 kills and 19 digs. Sophomore Sammie Williams added 10 kills.
"We didn't play our best in the West Texas game, I know I didn't," senior setter Emily Vosseler said. "But other people stepped up and I think we're playing well as a team."
West Texas A&M is the second-ranked team that the Gorillas have knocked off in the last week. The Gorillas defeated then No. 11 Truman State last Saturday in a game that helped to raise expectations.
"I think we have more of an aggressive mentality, especially after beating Truman, we believe that we're as good as anybody else," senior middle blocker Igbinigie said.
The momentum continued to build for the Gorillas after their victory over the Lady Buffs.
"We've always known that we were good enough to beat those teams, but now that we've actually beaten them it's a big confidence booster," Igbinigie said.
Pitt rode the wave of positive energy on Saturday, defeating Angelo State in the day's early match 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-14). The Gorillas wrapped up the tournament with a 3-1 win over Abilene Christian (25-13, 25-15, 22-25, 25-23) to seal the tournament title.
The Gorillas' performance over the weekend sparked a positive response from coach Ibraheem Suberu.
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