Box Score

Looking to finish a perfect 3-0 at the Flyer Classic on Saturday afternoon, LMU volleyball (9-3) cruised to a 25-12, 25-14, 25-22 sweep over Youngstown State (5-8). The Lions got stellar offensive swings from the regular cast as well as an unlikely contributor, as sophomore Kekai Whitford finished tied for a match-high with nine kills.

Whitford, a defensive specialist, had just one kill in her career prior to Saturday afternoon's sweep, but she finished with the nine on 16 swings with just four errors. Whitford also added one ace and six digs, while Jamie Lea contributed nine kills while hitting .389 to help LMU to a .376 hitting percentage.

Whitford finished with four kills in the first, two in the second, and three in the third.

The Lions served up six aces, including a pair from freshman Tess Reid and junior Kristen Castellanos.

Sarah Varcolla was a dominant force on the attack for Youngstown State, finishing with nine kills on 15 errorless attacks for a .600 hitting percentage, but that was the only weapon that Youngstown State was able to use on Saturday, as the team hit just .160 over the three sets.

LMU held Youngstown State to sub-.120 hitting percentages in the first and second, while managing .400 or better clips on the other side of the net. The third set proved much closer, as Youngstown State outhit LMU, .333-.294, but three Lion aces teamed with a pair of blocks proved enough to capture the third and earn the sweep.

Following the conclusion of play, junior Sarah Sponcil was named Tournament MVP. The native of Phoenix, Ariz. posted 37 total kills (4.11 per set) while hitting .453 over 64 swings with just eight errors. Sponcil added two aces, 23 digs (2.56 per set) and two block assists. The preseason All-WCC pick registered a double-double at Dayton to open the tournament, teaming a match-best 13 kills with 12 digs while hitting .375. She then set a new season-high with 20 kills while hitting .600 on 30 attacks vs. Southern Illinois. The Tournament MVP selection is the second of Sponcil's season after being named Tournament MVP at the Pioneer Classic hosted by Denver earlier this year.

Joining Sponcil, junior Castellanos was named to the All-Tournament team. Castellanos posted 31 digs over the three matches.

LMU will begin West Coast Conference play next week, visiting Pepperdine for the first volleyball match in this year's PCH Cup. The Saturday road match for the Lions is scheduled for a 1 p.m. first serve.