FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Senior Emily Osiadacz knocked down 15 kills and hit .545 to lead the NAU volleyball team to a 3-0 win against Hampton (0-9) on the first day of the 2008 Fiesta Bowl Tournament at the Rolle Activity Center in Flagstaff. NAU, now at 6-1, is off to its best start since the 1992 season.

Freshman Lexi Sullivan recorded 10 kills and senior Brittany Stowers tallied a match-high 14 digs as the Lumberjacks defeated the Lady Pirates by scores of 25-7, 25-17 and 25-13. Junior setter Janalee Mays-Robinson dished out a match-high 30 assists and freshman Katie Bailey put up a match-high four blocks.

“We passed well and it was just a night when things went well for us,” said NAU head coach Craig Choate. “I don't actually like starting off quite as well as we did, because I'm always afraid there's going to be a let down. That scares me, but we did a good job. I think we probably played a little more relaxed in the second and third sets, but you're not going to hold a team to seven points in every set. It just doesn't work that way.”

For the match, NAU recorded a season-high hitting percentage of .394 with 38 kills and only 10 errors. Hampton hit .027 with 19 kills and 17 errors.

The Lumberjacks will face two stronger teams on Saturday in Navy (5-2) and Duquesne (8-1). In the first match of the tournament, Duquesne defeated Navy 3-0 by scores of 25-22, 25-20 and 25-15.

“Both Navy and Duquesne have good records and I watched them earlier tonight,” said Choate. “They played well and tomorrow's going to be a hard day. We'll just need to suck it up and play well.”

The action begins at Rolle at 10:00 a.m. with Duquesne facing Hampton. NAU will play Navy at 12:30 p.m., and will face Duquesne in the final match of the tournament at 7:00 p.m.