Cardinals sweep a pair of matches at home

WASHINGTON – The CUA volleyball team ran its record to 5-2 on Saturday as the Cardinals swept matches from Washington College and Shenandoah inside DuFour Gymnasium.  CUA snapped its two-match losing streak in a big way as the Cardinals earned their fourth and fifth straight set wins of the season.

Claudia Jean continued her strong play for the Cardinals as she recorded a double-double in the match versus Washington.  The sophomore totaled 13 digs and 10 kills to lead CUA, while Michaela Carroll registered a team-best 19 assists. 

Ines Zanotti had a solid all-around match with three kills and eight assists, while Bridget Kulesh notched eight kills, two digs and a block.  Katie Chefalas added five kills and two aces for the Cardinals as they won the opener in straight sets, 25-20, 25-20, 25-23.

Later in the afternoon CUA downed Shenandoah 25-13, 28-26 and 25-18 as the Cardinals handed the Hornets their first loss of the 2010 season.  Jean was once again in double figures in kills with ten, while Carroll handed out 23 assists and completed the double-double with 11 digs.

Chefalas totaled five kills and three digs, Kulesh added seven kills, one dig, and a block, and Kelly Crimmins contributed four kills and three blocks.

Mary Harshman led the visitors with 11 digs and six kills, while Kelcy Brown added nine digs.  Haley Smith (seven), Megan Gillispie (eight) and Rachel Maki (nine) all recorded seven or more kills and Brown was the team leader in assists with 20.

CUA will return to the court in one week when the Cardinals again host a trio of matches inside DuFour Gymnasium.  CUA will take on Marymount (Va.) at 11:00 AM and Franklin & Marshall at 3:00 PM, with the two visiting schools squaring off at 1:00 PM.