Lady Vols get sweep in volleyball

Returning All-American Nikki Fowler wasted no time in starting her campaign for more honors.

Tennessee's junior outside hitter was named the tournament most valuable play as UT finished a volleyball sweep of the Comcast Lady Vol Classic, beating Lipscomb 26-24, 25-22, 25-23 Sunday at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Fowler had 15 kills, nine digs and six blocks against Lipscomb. For the tournament, she had 41 kills, 38 digs and 10 blocks.

"She was here all summer long lifting weights, and it's not a coincidence that she has elevated her play more than anyone else on our team,'' UT coach Rob Patrick said. "As amazing as she has been offensively, the most impressive improvement she has made is her play defensively."

Senior middle blocker Farren Powe was named to the all-tournament team along with freshman outside hitter Leslie Cikra.

Powe, who had a tournament-leading 16 blocks, had 10 against Lipscomb.

"We've been challenging her to be a better blocker because she is extremely athletic and is a senior,'' Patrick said.

Cikra had 26 kills for the weekend.

"I don't know if I was expecting her to play this well so early in her career, but we knew that she had a big block and hits the ball hard,'' Patrick said.