Standish, ME – Saint Joseph's (4-0) defeated Husson University (6-2), 3-1 (25-12, 19-25, 25-13, 25-21) to capture the Monks' third consecutive SJC Autumn Invitational Tournament title at the Harold Alfond Center on Saturday afternoon. Husson earned wins over Wentworth and Lyndon State in the weekend tournament to make their way into the finals, but lost their second match against the Monks in as many days. 

Two Eagles, Hannah Olstad and Chelly Smith were named to the All-Tournament team in recognition of their performances in their 4 games of the 2-day tournament.

Husson def. Lyndon State - 25-9, 25-9, 25-21

Hannah Olstad (Farmington, NH) registered 10 kills, six aces and two total blocks and Aleta Johnson (Milton, NH) netted 19 assists, five aces and a pair of kills to help the Eagles earn a shutout victory over the Hornets. Chelly Smith (New Boston, NH) contributed six kills, six digs and a solo block for Husson.

For Lyndon State, Maegan Fried (Great Falls, MT) played well in a losing effort with three kills, three digs and a block.

Saint Joseph's def. Husson - 29-27, 25-17, 25-22

The second contest of the tournament proved to be a battle as the match featured 12 tie scores and six lead changes, but St. Joe's eventually prevailed with the help of Sarah Hawkes (Pownal, ME), who notched another strong performance with 13 kills, nine digs and two blocks in the exciting victory.

For Husson, Olstad led the way with 11 kills, Johnson put up 25 assists and nine digs, Smith tallied nine kills and nine digs, and Rachel Voicechovski (Westerly, RI) added eight digs and five kills.

Kiah Begley (Berwick, ME) added her second double-double of the night with 25 assists and 11 digs while  Erica Russi (Debary, FL) - who blasted a match-high four aces - and Jordan Pelczar (Meredith, NH) picked up 11 digs apiece against the Eagles.

A pair of career accomplishments were met in the Monks' closing match as Hawkes reached the 500-dig mark and Begley surpassed the 1400-assist plateau in the team's second event of the season.

Husson def. Wentworth Institute, 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-20, 25-18)

The Eagles began the closing day of the tourney with a win over Wentworth Institute to advance to the championship contest. Hannah Olstad led the way with 12 kills and added four digs and a solo block while Kelsey Burrill (Somersworth, NH) chipped in with a double-double effort of 11 digs and 10 kills for Husson. Rachel Voicechovski registered a match-high 20 digs versus the Leopards.

Championship: Saint Joseph's def. Husson, 3-1 (25-12, 19-25, 25-13, 25-21)

Husson battled their second meeting with the Monks to 4 sets, winning the second after dropping the first in a tooth-and-nail contest in the final. In the end, the Eagles could not hold off St. Joe's and the Monks earn the Autumn Invitational crown for the third straight season.

Hannah Olstad notched 12 kills and six digs to lead the Eagles on the night. Aleta Johnson (Milton, NH) picked up 22 assists and 15 digs while also contributing three kills in a very well-rounded performance. Alex Barner (Woodstock, CT.) contributed 16 digs, five helpers and three kills while Kelsey Burrill and Justine Walicki (Plainville, CT.) posted 11 digs apiece.

For the Monks, Sarah Hawkes put up an impressive double-double with 23 digs and 11 kills en route to Tournament MVP honors, while Kiah Begley recorded a double-double of her own with 28 assists and 15 digs to go along with four kills and three service aces. Libero Erica Russi turned in another notable performance with 23 digs, five aces and four kills and Jordan Pelczar added 14 digs in the championship contest.

The Eagles return home to the Newman Gymnasium on Wednesday when they host a pair with in-state rival ME-Presque Isle, start times are slated for 5:00 and 7:30 pm.