Ariy-El Boynton

The Jackrabbit spikers played host to Montana (4-6), Long Island (4-6) and North Texas (2-8) in the annual Jackrabbit Invitational on Sept. 7 and 8. The Jacks came out of the weekend with three wins and no losses. With the three game sweep last weekend, the Jacks continue to ride a seven-game winning streak.

“We got better as the tournament went along,” eighth year head coach Andrew Palileo said. “We let some lose points on us but we didn’t allow any big runs.”

Freshman Melia Iwamoto, Emily Rooney and Amy Anderson were all awarded for making the all-tourney team.

The first match pinned North Texas University against SDSU. The Jacks used a variety of players to net an opening day sweep of the Mean Green (30-27, 30-22 and 30-20.)

Leading the way for the Jacks in the match against was Mackenzie Angner with 17 kills. Hawaiian native Iwamoto continued to impress the Jackrabbit nation, as she had 38 total assists. In the match, Samantha Pearson recorded 20 digs to boost her career total to 1,411 making her second all-time in SDSU history.

The Jacks enjoyed home cooking at Frost Arena after being on the road for the first eight matches out of nine.

“It was good to get the girls home in their own beds,” Palileo said. The players were glad to be home, also.”

“It is so good to be home,” junior Mackenzie Angner said. “We are so sick of being on the road.”

“It’s really fun to play at home,” Amy Anderson, middle blocker for the Jacks, said. “We do not want to lose at home.”

The Jackrabbits continued play against the University of Montana, beating the Grizzlies in four sets, 3-1. (30-27, 30-20, 27-30 and 30-25)

Anderson led the Jacks with 18 kills. Iwamoto set up 59 kills during the match. Senior libero Samantha Pearson dug the ball out 30 times to earn the victory for the Jacks.

The senior Jacks continued to climb the record charts. Outside hitter and captain Kristina Martin ended the match with 1,361 total kills for her career, netting her sixth place all-time in SDSU history. Pearson’s 1,441 digs was enough for second all-time. Anderson ended with 306 career block assists, placing her third of all-time.

“It’s very hard to believe,” Anderson said. “It’s really great.” Anderson never believed in her wildest dreams that she would be among the career leaders in anything for Jacks.

Anderson, along with being named to the all tourney team, was also named the tournament’s Most Valuable player.

“On a personnel note, it’s a great achievement,” said Anderson, a senior from Huron. Anderson also noted that helping her team was her number one priority.

The Jackrabbits finished up the tournament by beating the Long Island Blackbirds 3-1 (32-30, 30-25, 27-30 and 30-24). Angner netted 12 kills and Rooney finished with 10 kills.

#1.883329:2305880698.jpg:mail.jpg: Freshmen setter Melia Iwamoto focuses on serving against a Jackrabbit opponet in volleyball action.:Sports Information