Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
James Madison
Volleyball Crowned Coors Invitational Champions
9/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2006
The Colorado State volleyball team swept the competition at the Coors Invitational to win the tournament title, defeating James Madison tonight in three-games, 30-16, 30-14, 30-20 in front of 1,689 fans in Moby Arena. With the three victories over the weekend, the Rams move to 4-2 on the season, while the Dukes fall to 5-2 on the year.
Sophomore setter Ashley Fornstrom was named the MVP of the tournament after leading the Rams to a .328 hitting percentage on the evening. She had 44 assists, two aces, four blocks and four digs in the evening match, while CSU hit .308 for the weekend. Senior outside hitter Katherine Whitney and sophomore outside hitter Jaime Strauss both led the match with 11 kills and were named all-tournament as well. Strauss also hit .556 for the match, while junior middle blocker Amanda Fahnestock hit .600 (7-1-10) in two games. Freshman libero Katelin Batten led the Rams with 12 digs, while Whitney chipped in 10 and freshman middle blocker Tessa Nelson led the match with five blocks.
"Ashley did a great job of distributing the ball," said head coach Tom Hilbert. "I see this team improving with every match they play and it was nice to get to play the first six matches of the season in Moby Arena, where our fans are amazing."
The Rams held the Dukes to a .000 hitting percentage on the night and Steamboat Springs native Bayli Stillwell led James Madison with eight kills and she also tallied 10 digs. Libero Jena Pierson led the match with 13 digs and was also named to the all-tournament team.
In the other night match of the Coors Invitational, Wake Forest defeated Florida Atlantic in three games. Wake Forest's Jessica Furlong and Florida Atlantic's Iana Andonova rounded out the all-tournament team.
Colorado State hits the road for the first time this season, playing at the California Golden Bear Invitational against Cal, American and Pepperdine next weekend.
