MCC sweeps way to Jefferson Invite final

WATERTOWN, New York - The MCC volleyball team kicked off the 2017 season in style Saturday, sweeping its way to victory at the Jefferson CC Invitational Tournament.

The Tribunes won all three matches in pool play, then defeated Finger Lakes in the semifinals and Fulton-Montgomery in the finals in an impressive beginning to the year. Regional play starts next weekend at Adirondack CC.

The win against Finger Lakes was also the 450th in the career of head coach Tara Jehlen.

Monroe started pool play against Cayuga and took the opening game 25-9. The Spartans, though, rebounded to take game two 24-23. It would be the only game the Tribunes would drop the rest of the day.

MCC came back to take the third game 15-11 before taking out Herkimer, 25-13 and 25-11. The Tribunes then toppled Fulton-Montgomery 25-23, 25-11 to finish pool play unbeaten.

Up next was Finger Lakes, which was the second seed out of the tournament's other pool. Monroe took care of business in two games, winning 25-19, 25-21. That set up a rematch with Fulton in the finals, and the Tribunes dispatched the Raiders 25-20, 25-22 to take the title.

Tessa Engel finished with 36 kills on the day for Monroe. Andrea Green had 21 blocks, and Jessie Blumenfeld added 102 assists.