RICHMOND, Ky.- Sophomore Shelly George had a season-high 19 kills to lead the Eastern Kentucky volleyball team to a 3-1 victory over Marquette, earning the Nike Challenge Championship on Saturday night at McBrayer Arena.

Senior Liz Guard earned Nike Challenge MVP honors, her third of the season.

George was one of three Colonels (7-3) with double-digit kills as junior Jessica Sabath and sophomore Amy Arlinghaus tallied 17 and 11, respectively. Junior Kelly Jennings recorded a season-high 61 assists and sophomore Brittany Nobilio had a team-high 16 digs.

In the first game, the Colonels jumped to an early five-point lead but that would be their largest of the game as Marquette (6-5) came roaring back behind four kills from senior Theresa Coughlin to knot the game at 12. The teams battled back and forth and with the score tied at 29, the Colonels got a kill from George, who on the following play teamed with junior Kasha Brozek on a block to give EKU the win.

The Golden Eagles fought back from a 19-12 deficit in game two to tie the game at 26 on Kimberly Todd kill and then scored four of the last six points to give EKU it first home game loss this year.

Game three was tense throughout with neither team grabbing more than a two-point lead after an early Colonel 4-1 advantage. A kill from George broke the deadlock at 28, and an attack error from Todd attack gave EKU a one game lead.

Marquette did not bow out easily though, holding a 25-24 lead on the strength of Coughlin's game-high six kills. However, the Colonels would not be denied their third tournament championship of the year, taking the lead at 26-25 on an Arlinghaus kill and later clinching the title on another George kill.

EKU opens OVC play on Wednesday night, battling Morehead State at 7:00 in Morehead, Ky.


Tournament MVP: Liz Guard
All-Tournament Team
Kelly Jennings (EKU)
Jessica Sabath (EKU)
Lori Collins (UNC Greensboro)
Theresa Coughlin (Marquette)
Tiffany Helmbrecht (Marquette)
Ivana Bozic (UAB)