AIC DEFEATS SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT IN SEASON OPENER 

GARDEN CITY, NY. (September  1, 2006) -  American International College senior Zane Berzina (Talsi, Latvia) notched 19 kills and 14 digs to help lead the Yellow Jackets to a 3-1 (26-30, 30-28, 30-25, 30-13) victory over Southern Connecticut in their season opener Friday Night in the Adelphi Tournament at Woodruff Hall in Garden City, N.Y. The win improves AIC to 1-0-0 while the loss drops Southern Connecticut to 0-1-1 on the season.

American International fell in an early hole dropping the first set 26-30, but rebounded by taking the last three sets and winning the match.

Yellow Jackets Freshman Jessica Provan (San Clemente, Calif.) had a game high 46 assist.  AIC was also aided by junior Charisse Trotman (Bristol, Conn.) and freshman Briana Smith (Belchertown, Mass.) who added 12 kills each. Trotman also had 11 digs while Smith chipped in with 10 of her own.

The Owl's sophomore Kierstin Pry (Trumbull, Conn.) led the team with 15 kills and nine digs.  Teammates freshman Manjit Chase (Alexandria, VA) and sophomore Ashley Coombs (Trumbull, Conn.) tallied 16 and 12 assists respectively

AIC will next face Adelphi College Saturday morning at 9 a.m.