Pioneers outlast Lions in SpringHill Suites Invitational

ANCHORAGE – LIU Post outside hitter Danielle Valenza racked up 20 kills and 16 digs Friday to lead her team to a 25-22, 22-25, 26-24, 22-25, 15-9 victory over Saint Leo in SpringHill Suites Invitational volleyball tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center.

The Pioneers (1-0), from Brookville, N.Y., also got 10 kills from right-side hitter Analise Austin as the defending NCAA Div. II East Regional champions out-hit their opponents from Florida, .236 to .200. Valenza was the big difference in the fifth set, earning five of her team's seven kills in the deciding frame.

The Lions (0-2) dropped their second match of the day despite 20 kills and 14 digs from outside hitter Lauren Campbell, plus 10 kills, nine digs and two aces from outside hitter Tawni Warren.

LIU Post returns to the court tonight for the third match of the SpringHill Suites Invitational against host Alaska Anchorage (1-0).

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