Buffalo was one set away from perfection this weekend when they hosted the UB Invitational at Alumni Arena.
After dropping the first set to Navy (3-4) on Friday night, the Bulls swept the rest of the competition against Delaware State (2-4) and Central Connecticut State (1-2).
Buffalo started the weekend with a 3-1 win over Navy (23-25, 25-13, 25-13, 25-15) then rolled on to shutout Delaware State (25-19, 25-16, 25-21) and Central Connecticut State (25-14, 25-14, 25-14).
The Bulls were the only team to go 2-0 on the first day with their victories over Navy and Delaware State.
The Bulls posted an accurate .287 hitting during the tournament. Additionally, their 6-1 record marks the program's best seven-match start since 1990.
Following their first set win, the Midshipmen's offense produced hitting percentages of .000, -.129, and .000, while Bulls' senior blocker Kayla Govier led Buffalo's attack with a career-high 15 kills.
Govier also led the team offensively in their afternoon game against Delaware State with 12 kills and a .474 hitting. Senior middle blocker Kristin Bignell and freshman outside hitter Dana Musil added eight and seven kills respectively in Buffalo's sweep of the Hornets.
Senior hitter Marisa Hornbaker came through with 10 kills on 21 attempts and freshman setter Dani Reinert added 22 assists for the Bulls.
Buffalo's most dominating performance came on the second day of action against Central Connecticut State. The Bulls held their opponents to only 14 points in each set and were extremely accurate, hitting .354 percent.
"I thought the second day against Central Connecticut State was our best match," said Bulls' head coach Todd Kress. "We did a little bit of everything. We were better offensively, better defensively and we served well. We were better in all facets Saturday night."
Musil led the team's overwhelming offensive performance with 12 kills while Hornbaker posted an impressive 10 kills on 18 attempts.
"[Dana's] very good in all areas," Kress said. "She passes well, she plays solid defense, she serves well and she's finding ways to score. She's doing a great job and she's very steady. She makes those around her better."
The Bulls clinched the tournament victory with the win over the Blue Devils. The team's stellar play earned three players spots on the All-Tournament team. Govier headlined the team as the tournament MVP, while Hornbaker and freshman libero Kelly Svoboda were the other two Bulls selections.
"I think [Govier's] very exited about that," Kress said. "Kayla is somebody that didn't get a lot of playing time last year and really worked hard this summer and spring to earn a spot out there this fall. She's thrilled about it and we're very happy for her."
Photo: Courtesy of UB Athletics
