Siena College Wins 2006 MAAC Volleyball Championship
MAAC Sports
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. ? The Siena College Saints claimed the 2006 MAAC Volleyball Championship, edging Fairfield University 3-2 (30-24, 30-25, 21-30, 15-30, 15-12) in a five game thriller at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. With the win the Saints earned the conference automatic berth to the NCAA Volleyball Championship.
The Saints will find out who they will face in the NCAA Volleyball Championship when the field is announced on Sunday, November 26 at 2:30 p.m. on ESPNEWS.
Siena was led by Nadiege Honore who had 19 kills, while Christie Gustafson added 15 kills. Fairfield had four players with double figure kills and five with double-figure digs. Kelly Oliver, Lindsey Lee and Katie Mann all finished with 16 kills. Lee added 18 digs, while Oliver, Barbie Thistle and Jazmin Pa’akaula all totaled 11 digs.
The Saints came out ready play and took a commanding two game lead into intermission. Just when it looked like Siena had the championship in their grasp, Fairfield would come back to take games three and four in strong fashion to set up a fifth and deciding game. In game five, the Saints took control early and never looked back to earn the 15-12 victory.
Gustafson was selected the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. She is joined on the All-Tournament Team by her teammate Nadiege Honore, Canisius’ Mary Boller, Fairfield’s Lindsey Lee, Jazmin Pa’ akaula and Barbie Thistle and Loyola’s Chrissey Cruz.
All-Tournament Team
Mary Boller, Canisius
Lindsey Lee, Fairfield
Jazmin Pa’akaula, Fairfield
Barbie Thistle, Fairfield
Chrissey Cruz, Loyola
Nadiege Honore, Siena
Most Valuable Player
Christie Gustafson, Siena