Cleveland State bounced back from a one set deficit inside Woodling Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon to win the 2012 Horizon League Volleyball Championship.
This is the Vikings first Tournament Championship since the 2007 season.
The Vikings were led by tournament MVP and regular season Most Valuable Player Kara Koch who had a match-high 23 kills. Dayna Roberts had 44 assists for the Vikings, while Amanda Medvetz led the Vikings with 18 digs.
In the opening set, Cleveland State jumped out to a 7-3 lead, but UIC answered with a 7-1 run to take a lead that the Flames would never relinquish in winning the opening set, 25-21.
Cleveland State got back in the match by outlasting the Flames in the second set, 25-23. The set was tied as late as 14-14, but the Vikings won five of the next six points to take a 19-15 lead and although the Flames would close to within 22-21, UIC could never overcome the deficit.
UIC came out strong in the third set, scoring the first four points to force a Cleveland State timeout. The Vikings regrouped to go on a 10-2 run and take a 10-6 lead, but UIC tied the match at 10 with another 4-0 burst. UIC would extend its 4-0 run to a 13-4 run as the Flames seemed to be in control of the set with a 19-14 lead. But Cleveland State would rally again, tying the set at 23 and then staving off two UIC set points. Koch would close out the set with a service ace as CSU won 28-26.
The Vikings maintained a two point advantage throughout the fourth set as CSU did just enough to keep UIC a point or two behind. Senior Marie Frease ended the match with a kill.
The Flames had four players in double-digit kills, led by Aubrey Sniegowski who had 18. Janise Dismuke finished with 14, Nicole Allgood 11 and Kelsey Safranek 10. MaryKatie Imrie had a match-high 54 assists, a day after having 63 – the most by a Horizon League player this season. Maggie Strus had a match-high 22 digs for the Flames.
Koch was joined on the All-Tournament team by teammates Roberts and Jackie Dabbelt. UIC’s Strus and Safranek represented the Flames, while Stephanie Kinane (Loyola) and Mary Dent (Valparaiso) were also on the team.
The NCAA Selection Show, where the Vikings will learn their first round opponent, will air on ESPNU on Sunday, Nov. 25 at 4 p.m. ET.
All-Tournament Team
Kara Koch, Cleveland State (MVP)
Jackie Dabbelt, Cleveland State
Dayna Roberts, Cleveland State
Kelsey Safranek, UIC
Maggie Strus, UIC
Stephanie Kinane, Loyola
Mary Dent, Valparaiso
