MVNU (23-7) got the day under way by defeating Marian 25-20, 23-25, 25-10, 25-17. Freshman middle hitter Gina Porto smashed a team-high 14 kills to go with three blocks, while sophomore middle hitter Jackie Albrecht added 13 kills, four aces, and 17 digs. Junior setter Kaylin Austen (left) handed out 43 assists with 11 digs and a career-high six aces, and junior right-side hitter Courtney Springer, who became the 21st player in school history to record 1,000 career kills, registered 10 kills, 14 digs, and three blocks. Sophomore libero Caitlin Myles posted a career-high 20 digs, while senior outside hitter Audrey Hickinbotham pounded nine kills to go with three blocks and nine digs. The loss was the only one of the tournament for the Knights (17-10), who finished second with a 3-1 mark.

The Lady Cougars closed out the tournament with a 25-13, 25-16, 25-17 sweep of Judson (4-21). Albrecht led the way with 13 kills, 10 digs, six blocks, and three aces, while Porto pounded 12 kills. Springer added nine kills, four blocks, and nine digs, and Austen handed out 38 assists. Myles led MVNU with 15 digs, and Hickinbotham hammered seven kills.

Austen was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament and she was joined by teammates Albrecht, Springer, and Porto on the All-Tournament Team. Mollie Heidenreich and Bethany Dulle of Marian, Sarah Kline and Mirjam Pfyl of Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College, and Danielle Dull of Judson rounded out the All-Tournament Team selections.

“I was pleased with the way that we played this weekend,” said MVNU coach Paul Swanson. “We played with energy and were consistent in the back row. Kaylin was a very deserving pick as the MVP as she did a great job of running our attack. Jackie, Courtney, and Gina also contributed to our success. The whole team played well and we got better this weekend.”

In addition to Marian finishing second with a 3-1 mark, Lindsey Wilson went 2-2, Judson was 1-3, and St. Catharine (Ky.) College finished 0-4 to round out the tournament standings.

The Lady Cougars will return to action on Tuesday when MVNU will travel to Ohio Dominican University for an American Mideast Conference match that will start at 7:00 p.m.