The GW women’s volleyball team won two out of three matches this weekend at the American Classic at American University’s Bender Arena, improving its record to 8-2. The team’s three-game victory over North Carolina State University Friday and four-game win over Purdue University Saturday afternoon resulted from an aggressive attack with multiple Colonials finishing with double-digits in kills.

But GW’s attack was not good enough to defeat American Saturday morning as the Colonials lost in three games. The Colonials will have no concerns taking only two of three this past weekend if they can win the match that really counts – a Wednesday night showdown with defending Atlantic 10 Champion Temple at the Smith Center.

GW 3, Purdue 1Saturday, Sept. 16

Senior Renee Arnold pounded 23 kills and teammate Tracee Brown added 18 of her own as the Colonials defeated the Big 10 Conference opponent in four games. Purdue took advantage of GW’s 11 first-game errors to win 15-11.

But, a near flawless game by the Colonials that saw GW hit 19 kills and commit only three errors paved the way for a dominating 15-3 win. Purdue attempted to rally in a pivotal third game, but GW won 15-11.

The Colonials nearly repeated their strong performance in the final game as they pounded 18 kills with only three errors in 35 total attempts, allowing for a match-high .429 attack percentage. Suzana Manole and Julie Jahnke combined for 33 kills in the game and Jill Levey tallied 55 assists.

American 3, GW 0Saturday, Sept. 16

American won its ninth match of the season Saturday morning when it knocked off the Colonials 15-12, 16-14, 15-12. The close contest saw the Colonials pound three more kills (57-54), but, perhaps more importantly, saw American commit seven fewer errors (25-18). Sophomore Abby Ernst pounded nine kills for the Colonials, who were led in the match by Brown’s 16 kills. American’s Ajola Berisha played strong volleyball for the Eagles, pounding 17 kills while committing just one error.

GW 3, NC State 0Friday, Sept. 15

GW dominated North Carolina State in the first match of the weekend Classic, winning in three games 15-8, 15-3, 15-5. Jahnke and Brown led with 12 kills each for GW, and freshman Lauren Dunning helped Levey by producing 11 assists. Levey managed 32 assists. The Colonials’ strength at the net was evident throughout, as the team posted a .368 total attack percentage for the game (56 kills, 14 errors in 114 total attempts).