OLD WESTBURY, NY – The College of Mount Saint Vincent Women's Volleyball team opened the season by winning three of the four matches it played at the Panther Invitational this past Saturday and Sunday. The Dolphins defeated St. Joseph's-Brooklyn, Old Westbury and Brooklyn College at the event, but were downed by tournament champion Centenary. Sophomore Christina Pierre (Bronx, NY) was named to the All-Tournament Team after posting 32 kills over the four matches.

The Dolphins opened the 2008 campaign with a 3-1 win over St. Joseph's-Brooklyn on Saturday morning. After dropping the first set 25-19, the Mount rebound to take the next three by scores of 25-19, 25-20 and 25-18. Pierre led the way for the Dolphins with 10 kills and a hitting percentage of .348.

Four Dolphins posted double-digits in digs in the match, with freshman Renee Reyes (Bronx, NY) leading the way with 25. Lisa O'Shea (White Plains, NY) finished the match with 12 digs, while setter Bridget Leonard (Poughkeepsie, NY) finished the match with a double-double, posting 26 assists and 12 digs.

In its second match of the day on Saturday, Mount Saint Vincent was defeated by Centenary 3-0. Pierre again led the charge for the Mount with eight winners, while Leonard led the team in assists with 19.

On day two of the tournament, Mount Saint Vincent would sweep a pair of matches to finish the tournament 3-1. The Dolphins opened the day with a four set win over host Old Westbury. The Dolphins took the first set 25-23, before the Panthers evened things at one set apiece with a 25-20 win in the second set. The Dolphins then came out and dominated the final two, winning by scores of 25-13 and 25-11.

Pierre continued her strong early season play with 10 more kills to go along with a dig and two total blocks. Reyes posted 23 digs in the contest along with five of the Dolphins 16 service aces. Leonard also continued her strong early season play with 25 assists.

The Dolphins would go on to take their final match of the tournament over Brooklyn College by a score of 3-0. Leonard would lead the team in kills and assists in the match with eight and 17, respectively. Irma Nepomuceno (Bronx, NY) followed with five kills and a trio of Dolphins, Maureen Metzner (Mineola, NY), Pierre and Jessica Williams (Cornwall, NY), finished with four winners apiece.

For her performance over the two day event, Pierre earned All-Tournament honors. For the tournament she averaged 2.67 kills per game and also posted five digs and five total blocks.

At 3-1 overall on the season, Mount Saint Vincent will be back in action again when it takes on York on Wednesday, September 10. The road match is set to begin at 5:30 p.m.