Aurora, Ill. – Sophomore Vanessa Owusu guided the Roosevelt women's volleyball team to a perfect start to the Jim Coleman Memorial Tournament on Friday as the Lakers opened the event with a four-set victory over host Aurora University (25-14, 23-25, 25-19, 25-21), before capping the day by sweeping Beloit College (25-14, 25-13, 25-10).
Roosevelt's 2-0 start to the tournament ran the team's winning streak to a program-best three matches. The Lakers are now 6-4 overall on the season, with the six wins eclipsing the team's win total from their inaugural 2011 campaign.
Owusu, who totaled a career-high 16 kills in Roosevelt's win over Trinity International on Thursday night, collected 23 more kills on Friday in the team's two matches. She also tabbed eight blocks and five service aces on the day.
In the opener, Owusu notched her second straight double-digit kill outing, leading Roosevelt with 11 kills, while adding six blocks and a service ace. Freshman Tori Schrementi added six kills. Freshman Aleesha Cleaver came off the bench in sets three and four to spark the Lakers, totaling three kills, three aces and six digs in limited duty.
Roosevelt opened the contest by playing some of its best volleyball of the season in a 25-14, first-set triumph over the host Spartans. Aurora battled back to level match, taking the second set, 25-23. The Lakers would not be denied their second straight win taking the next two sets, 25-19 and 25-21, to secure their fifth victory of the season.
Roosevelt dominated play from the opening serve against Beloit, racing to a three-set victoy over the Buccaneers. Owusu made it three straight double-digit kill outings with 12 kills, adding four aces and two blocks to a stuffed stat sheet.
Cleaver carried the momentum from a strong finish to the Aurora match over to the contest with Beloit, recording a career-best 10 kills. Freshman Morgan Reinert dished out 18 assists and put down a career-high five service aces.
The Lakers will look to continue their winning ways on Saturday as they conclude tournament play with a 12:00 p.m. showdown with Lake Forest College, before concluding the day at 4:00 p.m. versus Principia.
