CANTON, NY -- Daemen College is your 2013 USCAA Volleyball National Champion. The Wildcats knocked off the eight-time National Champions, Florida College, for the second straight year to capture the USCAA National Championship. Daemen took the championship match, 3-1 (25-27, 25-20, 26-24, 25-17), to win their second consecutive USCAA Volleyball National Championship at the Convention, Athletics, and Recreation Center on the SUNY Canton campus.
Florida College jumped out to an early lead, taking the first set with two straight points to win 27-25. Daemen answered with a 25-20 win in set two, and used a comeback to win the third set 26-24. The Wildcats used their momentum to win the fourth set, including taking several long volleys that featured some highlight saves from both teams.
Daemen was once again led by Ye Wang, who earned All-Tournament Team MVP honors for her performance during the week. Her 19 kills led the Wildcats in the championship game, and she finished first in hitting percentage among all players at .462. Teammate Lindsey Nowak added a personal tournament best 17 kills for the Wildcats, and All-Tournament Team honoree Paige Tilert collected 30 digs and two service aces in another strong defensive performance. Tilert finished the tournament by leading all players in digs with 111 for an average of more than 6.1 digs per set.
The Wildcats' two setters also recorded solid outings in the finals, as Kaley Vazquez had 26 assists and Chelsea Turcer added 21 assists and eight digs.
Florida picked up strong performances once again from All-Tournament Team selections Devyn Jackson and Camille Crim, who both finished with double digit kills.
2013 USCAA Volleyball All-Tournament Team
Tournament MVP: Ye Wang -- Daemen College
Paige Tilert -- Daemen College
Devyn Jackson -- Florida College
Camille Crim -- Florida College
Chelsi Hummert -- Lindenwood University-Belleville
Brittany Alexander -- Rochester College
Kara Kempinski -- Marygrove College
