Amanda Baker Named To All-Tourney Team

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- Sophomore Jessica Dood captured tournament MVP honors as she was one of four Oakland University players to tally double figures in kills during the decisive game at the Black Knights Invitational. The Golden Grizzlies (6-5) came back from a two-set deficit to defeat the host Army squad 24-26, 19-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-12 Sunday afternoon.

Dood notched 13 kills and a .393 hitting percentage, while adding four blocks in the win. Cassie Pelloni led Oakland with 16 kills, while Melissa Deatsch (14) and Neoga High School graduate Amanda Baker (11) also aided in the attack.

"This match showed the competitive spirit of our team," said Oakland head coach Rob Beam. "Every member of the team contributed to our comeback against a strong Army team. This entire trip will be an experience that we can draw from all season long."

Oakland battled tough but were edged in the first set, 26-24, and after Army (4-9) captured the second set 25-19, the Golden Grizzlies got in their attack groove. The team hit an impressive .484 in the third set to swing momentum, which carried through a back-and-forth fifth set.

Joining Dood on the all-tournament squad were teammates Baker and Sammy Condon. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Oakland and second straight road victory against tournament hosts.

After establishing a career-best in assists just one day previous, Ciara Schultz doled out a new career high with 52 assists, notching a double-double with 10 digs. Deatsch also had a double-double, adding 12 digs to her 14 kills, while Taylor Humm led all performers with 26 digs.

Oakland will open the home portion of their 2014 schedule Sept. 19-20 when the Golden Grizzlies host the four-team Golden Grizzlies Invitational. Oakland will entertain Bowling Green, UC-Irvine and Robert Morris over the weekend.

Baker, a 6-foot-2 junior, is the daughter of Jim and Jane Baker.

All-Tournament Team

MVP: Jessica Dood, Oakland

Amanda Baker, Oakland

Sammy Condon, Oakland

Emily Popp, Holy Cross

Katie McKernan, Holy Cross

Nicole Perri, Army

Megan Burgess, Binghamton

Tournament Standings

Oakland - 3-0

Holy Cross - 2-1

Army - 1-2

Binghamton - 0-3