RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. -- Day two for SBU volleyball at the Arkansas Tech Spikefest was much better than the first. The Bearcats downed Texas A&M-International 3-1 and later defeated Arkansas Tech 3-2. SBU's Brianna Wallace and Ashley Jurgensmeyer were named to the Spikefest All-Tournament Team.

In the morning contest, the TAMUI Dustdevils won the first set 25-14, before SBU (2-2) turned things around. The Bearcats won the next three sets, 25-22, 25-18, 25-15, getting stronger as the match progressed. Alex Smith led SBU with 12 kills. Kelsey Stewart added 10 kills, 5 aces and 2 blocks, while Kylie Heim had 10 kills and 3 blocks. Wallace had 27 assists and Marcy Greenwade contributed 14 digs.

"After the first set, the girls re-focused and played as a team," said SBU head coach Kelly Richardson on the match with TAMUI. "Passing was a big factor and we were more disciplined on the back row, which allowed us to be aggressive offensively."

The last match of the tournament matched the host Arkansas Tech and SBU. "The match was a battle, with both teams ready to play," said Richardson. "We were up in the third set and they came back to win it 26-24. The fourth set was back and forth, point for point. Alex Smith finished off the fourth set with a big swing that gave us momentum going to the fifth." After ATU won the first set 25-16, SBU won the second 25-20. SBU won the fourth set 26-24 and took the final 15-11.

Stewart led the Bearcats in the second match with 18 kills. Jurgensmeyer added nine kills and three blocks. Wallace had 30 assists while Greenwade led with 15 digs.

Richardson praised her all-tournament players along with their teammates. "Bri and Ashley connected well this weekend. The team bounced back after the first day and responded today."

Joining Wallace and Jurgensmeyer on the All-Tournament Team were Laura Ellerbrock (MVP), Malyssa Acton and Lindsay Paziuk of Cameron and Laura Farney and Sarah Von Lienen of Arkansas Tech. Cameron went 4-0 during the event.

Next weekend, SBU will be in Wichita Falls, Texas, for the Midwestern State Invitational. On Friday, September 4, SBU will battle Drury at 11:00 a.m. followed by Central Oklahoma at 4:00 p.m. On Saturday, September 5, SBU takes on the host Midwestern State at 10:30 a.m. and Tarleton State at 2:00 p.m.

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