Tribunes sweep to Tournament of Champions title

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania - Coming off a 2014 season that included a program-record 41 wins and a sixth-place finish at the NJCAA national tournament, the 2015 edition was looking for a fast start to show that last year was no fluke.

Consider that mission accomplished.

The Tribunes won every game and swept its way to a 6-0 record and the title at the Northampton Community College Tournament of Champions over the weekend. MCC (6-0) defeated Sandhills 25-13, 25-19 in the title match on Sunday.

A pair of sophomores led the way for Monroe. Outside hitter Dayle Taber earned tournament MVP honors, and setter Montana Vescovi was named to the All-Tournament team.

Taber averaged over five kills per game and totaled 61 kills in the six matches for MCC. Vescovi, who was second in the nation in assists per game last year, finished with 131 assists on the weekend (10.9 per game).

MCC kicked off pool play with a 25-14, 25-21 win over Sandhills Saturday morning. The Tribunes then took down Fashion Institute of Technology (25-19, 25-20) and Ocean County College (25-22, 25-12), setting up a match with host Northampton to finish off pool action. 

Monroe was up to the task, avenging one of its four losses from a year ago by defeating the Spartans 25-22, 25-19 to earn top seed and clinch a bye into Sunday's semifinals.

MCC faced off with Northampton again in the semi's and prevailed 25-21, 25-11. The Tribunes then dispatched Sandhills for the title.