University of Georgia Athletics
University of Georgia
5-0
Siena
1-5
Bulldogs Improve To 6-0 After Sweeps
September 03, 2016 | Volleyball
Highlights from Georgia volleyball's 3-0 victory over Harvard improving their record to 6-0 on the season.
More Video: Highlights vs. Siena | Stemke Post Match Interview
Sept. 3, 2016
Final Stats vs. Siena | Final Stats vs. Harvard
BOSTON, Mass. --- With sweeps of Siena and Harvard, the Georgia volleyball team improved to 6-0 on the season, its best start since 2010.
"Great first weekend on the road for this group," said head coach Lizzy Stemke. "We faced some adversity and responded with nice composure every step of the way."
Georgia rolled against Siena (1-5), taking each set by a score of 25-16. The Bulldogs held Siena to .057 hitting mark, as Maddie Lobenstein led the team with 10 digs followed by Cassidy Anderson's nine. At the net, Majesti Bass was again a tough stop, guiding the Bulldogs with four blocks. Meghan Donovan dished out 34 assists, as Caroline Ostman and Megan Spencer put up double-digit kills.
Key runs were integral in Georgia's momentum during the win over Siena. A pair of late Ostman kills in set one closed out the final six points for Georgia after the opponent got within three at 19-16. Under Donovan's serve in set two, Georgia distanced itself with a 7-0 run that was capped by blocks from Desiree McCray and Spencer. Donovan did the same thing in the final frame with a 5-0 spree.
The Bulldogs took the match against Harvard (1-1) 25-16, 26-24 and 25-17, hitting .370 in the contest. Donovan, Ostman and Majesti Bass all hit .450 or better while Lobenstein and Spencer tallied 13 and 10 kills, respectively, to lead the offense. Defensively, Ostman and Anderson notched 11 digs each while five Bulldogs tabbed two or more blocks.
After taking the first set easily behind Spencer's seven kills, Georgia struggled to create breathing room against Harvard in the next frame despite three-straight aces from Lobenstein in the early points. Harvard had set point at 24-23, but after a Georgia timeout, a kill from Lobenstein and two Harvard errors gave the Bulldogs the 2-0 advantage. Out of the break, the Georgia offense committed no attack errors while Anderson's eight digs sealed the sweep.
After going 3-0 at the Beantown Challenge, Donovan and Lobenstein were named to the All-Tournament Team. Both Bulldogs were named to the All-Tournament Team last weekend at the Benson Hospitality Invitational, including Lobenstein garnering MVP honors.
Georgia returns to the Peach State next week, but will head to Atlanta for the annual Georgia Challenge. The Bulldogs will see Kennesaw State and Georgia State on Thursday, Sept. 8 before facing host Georgia Tech on Friday.
HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA VOLLEYBALL: For complete information on Georgia volleyball, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGAVolleyball on Twitter and Instagram and UGAVolleyball on Facebook and Snapchat.
