WASHINGTON - The 14th annual Worthington Classic wrapped up here Saturday in the Field House as Eastern University won the tournament with a 3-0 record. Host Gallaudet University split its two matches on Saturday to finish the two-day tournament with a 1-2 record while DeSales University finished with a 2-1 record and The Catholic University of America were held winless at 0-3.

Gallaudet (6-10) had a chance to go 2-0 on the day after the Bison jumped out to an early 2-0 lead over DeSales (8-5) but the Bulldogs rallied to beat the Bison in five sets; 22-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-10. DeSales turned around and went up a familiar foe in Eastern (16-1) but didn't have enough left in the tank and lost in straight sets, 25-20, 25-16, 25-13. The Eagles dispatched the Cardinals (2-13) in the morning match in four sets, 25-22, 22-25, 25-17, 25-23.

The final match of the six-match tournament saw Gallaudet sweep Catholic, 25-19, 25-13, 25-22.

Sophomore opposite Emily Wright (Auburn, Calif.) led the Bison with 21 kills against the Cardinals while junior libero Mia Upchurch (Austin, Texas) made 15 digs. For their efforts the duo were named to the all-tournament team. The pair also shined in the DeSales five-set match where Wright tallied 18 kills and Upchurch came up with 27 digs.

BISON TRACKS

• Sophomore setter Emma Giuntoli (Austin, Texas) celebrated her birthday with 52 assists against DeSales and 44 assists against the Cardinals
• The Bison had 11 aces in their two matches
• Sophomore Leila Sicoli (Austin, Texas) accumulated 24 digs against the Bulldogs
• Senior outside hitter Karita Lewis (Frederick, Md.) tallied double-doubles with 16 kills and 13 digs vs DeSales and 14 kills and 16 digs vs. Catholic
• Freshman Anya Pothorski (Indianapolis, Ind.) made three block solos and three block assists against DeSales

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will hit the road on Wednesday, Sept. 29, and head north to Towson, Md., to face Goucher College in a non-conference match at 7 p.m.

Also see:

• 14th Annual Worthington Classic