KINGSTON, Ont. -- Erika Cournoyer of Longueuil, Que., scored 10 points as McGill swept UNB 3-0 to open the Queen's Invitational women's volleyball exhibition tournament at the ARC Gymnasium, Friday. Set scores were 25-15, 25-18 and 25-20.

It was the fifth straight victory for the Martlets, who improved their preseason record to 5-1. McGill held a 39-21 lead in kills, a 47-37 advantage in digs, and a 9-6 margin in service aces.

"So far we've been winning with a lot of players and different line-ups," said McGill head coach Rachele Beliveau. "I think we're ready now for some more challenging opponents and see how we will do with that. next up, we face Trinity Western, so that should be interesting."

Indeed. Saturday's contest against the TWU Spartans, provides an opponent that has won two of the past three national titles and made last year's CIS final. "For us it will be a good test of where we stand and how we measure up to them, so I'm looking forward to the challenge," added Beliveau.

Cournoyer, a 5-foot-11 industrial relations senior, earned her points on the strength of six kills, an ace, two stuff blocks and a pair of assisted blocks. She added two digs and an assist.

Physical education senior Marie-Eve Dorion of St. Hubert, Que., tallied eight points with five kills, two aces and a block, in addition to recording four digs, four assists and a 2.33 passing ratio (out of 3.0). Freshmen Claire Vercheval of Ste. Julie, Que., and Rowan Page Fletcher of Montreal followed with seven points apiece in two sets played. Vercheval had six kills, an ace, one assist and a game-high 13 digs. Fletcher posted four kills and a team-high three aces, plus one assist and six digs.

"Claire and Marie-Ève both did a very good job offensively and defensively," noted Beliveau. "There are a lot of things our young players have to learn and integrate into their game," she added, "But I think we'll be patient, go one point at a time, and try to build up as we go through the fall exhibition schedule, instead of trying to have everything ready right away."

Kristen Burns was the top point-getter for the Varsity Reds, scoring 8.5 on the strength of four kills, three aces and a pair of blocks.

After confront Trinity Western, the Martlets wrap up the three-day tourney against Queen's on Sunday. Trinity Western swept the host squad 3-0 on Friday.

FOR MORE INGO CONTACT:
Kristen Whelan or Earl Zukerman
McGill Sports info Office
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