PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Senior Audra Vaccari (Winsted, Conn.) was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2007 Johnson & Wales University Fall Classic Saturday afternoon after leading JWU - Providence to a perfect 4-0 mark over the weekend, including a 3-1 win over Plymouth State University in the final match of the day.

            Plymouth State finished the tournament in second place with a 3-1 record while Wheaton was 2-2 for the weekend, taking third place at the five-team event.  PSU is now 9-4 on the season, while JWU is 13-8 and Wheaton is 13-6.

            Sophomore Eliza Badeau (Foster, R.I.) was the Plymouth State representative on the All-Tournament team after reaching double figures in kills in all four Panther matches.  She finished the tournament with 54 kills and 11 blocks.

            PSU started Saturday with a 3-0 win over Wheaton, 30-22, 30-26, 30-26.  Badeau led the offense with 11 kills, and junior Sarah Spears (Meredith, N.H.) and senior Kim Tobyne (Manchester, N.H./West) recorded 17 and 13 digs, respectively. Sophomore setter Brianna Kleckner (Terryville, Conn.) contributed 34 assists.

            The Panthers went into the final match against JWU-Providence with both teams at 3-0 in the tourney.  The Wildcats took the opening game, 30-20, but PSU came back to even the match with a 30-26 decision in game two.  Johnson & Wales took the lead again with a 30-26 win in game three, and put the tournament title away with a 30-17 triumph in game four.

            Badeau and junior Wendy Dziedzic (Nashua, N.H.) recorded 13 and 12 kills, respectively, and each made four successful blocks.  Spears had another solid defensive effort, recording 18 digs.

            The Panthers are back in action Tuesday with a key Little East Conference match at league-leading Keene State College (6:00 p.m.)

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