WASHINGTON - It was a festive Wednesday evening in the Field House where the Gallaudet University women's volleyball team was honored for winning a 10th straight American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award as the Bison participated in the annual AVCA Dig Pink night.

Gallaudet (11-10) decked out in pink jerseys and other pink colored accessories, to show its support for cancer research, defeated Goucher College (2-12) in straight sets 26-24, 25-22, 25-12.

The Bison got off to a slow start and even fell behind the visiting Gophers on several occassions. GU was down five points, 15-20, and was even two points away (21-23) from losing the first set. The Bison rallied and scored five of the next six points to take the opening set before a loud and pink clad audience.

The second set followed suit of the opening set as GU trailed and was forced to call an early timeout to try and shake off the rust. Gallaudet woke up and regained the lead for good thanks to some strong serving from junior outside hitter Darriyan Thomas (Vallejo, Calif.). The Bison scored four straight points before a service error gave the ball back to the Gophers as the host led 21-19. GU hung on to claim the second set win.

In the third and final set, Gallaudet looked more like the team the Bison faithful are accustom to seeing as the buff and blue jumped out to a 5-0 lead. GU increased the lead to seven (12-5) then nine points (19-10) and later 11 points (22-11). They clinched the match on a service ace made by freshman Amberley Luna (Albuquerque, N.M.).

BISON TRACKS

• Thomas led the Bison with 13 kills, seven digs and three service aces
• Freshman Adele Daniels (Frederick, Md.) added nine kills and two block assists
• Junior setter Jasmine Jeter (Noblesville, Ind.) passed out 25 assists and recorded seven digs and  two service aces
• Sophomore libero Raelyn Fuechtmann (South St. Paul, Minn.) led the team with 16 digs
• Freshman Camryn Skari (Federal Way, Wash.) added eight kills and two blocks (one solo)
• Sophomore Shua Clay (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) made a match-high four block assists
• Freshman Maria Elena Rendon (Espanola, N.M.) served up two service aces
• GU recorded 10 service aces while Goucher had eight
• The Bison have won four straight
• Gallaudet is 4-1 at home this season

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will hit the road on Friday, Oct. 7, and continue its yearly tradition of competing against Lebanon Valley College and University of Scranton in Annville, Pa.