LaSalle rallies for Division I tltle

SOUTH KINGSTOWN _ LaSalle completed a perfect season in Division I volleyball last night, but had to stage a sensational rally to do so.

The Rams were outplayed by East Providence through two games, but steadied and then came back to nip the Townies, 20-25, 24-26, 25-20, 25-16, 15-13 in a dramatic state championship match at URI's Keaney Gym.

LaSalle had beaten East Providence twice in the regular season, once in four games, once in five games. The Townies, who had won five of the last six titles, made all the key plays early on, led by Starsha Tunstall, Elizabeth Caruolo and Kelley Clancy.

The Rams showed the poise of champions as they charged back. Coach Jamie Terenzi made some changes, most notably inserting Breanna Boyer and Samantha Elliott into the lineup, and they combined with Janet Pressler, the tournament MVP, Jameilia Dillon, Judy Burr and Rebecca Merten to turn the match around.

The Rams surged to a 16-3 lead in the third set and held on from there. They took control of the fourth set right away as well, building a 13-5 lead. The deciding set was a thriller, with the loud supporting crowds for both teams roaring. It was tied at 1, 2, 5, 8 and 10 before Pressler, Elliott and the other Rams made the plays that gave LaSalle its first-ever Division I title.

``We wanted this so badly,’’ said Burr, one of the LaSalle co-captains. ``We were not going to give up the whole time. . . If we lost it was going to be because they beat us, not because we didn’t play as hard as we possible could.''

``It’s amazing,’’ she said as she held the medal given the champions. ``I’m floating on air right now.’’

Posted by Paul Kenyon  at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)