LAGRANGE, Ga. -- The Meredith College Avenging Angels captured the program's sixth consecutive USA South Women's Lacrosse Championship Saturday with a 26-1 victory over second-seed Averett. MC Lax earned the league's automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament set to begin in two weeks.

Defensive standout Sarah Arbes earned Tournament Most Valuable Player honors with seven more Avenging Angels joining her on the All-Tournament team.

Meredith controlled both ends of the field with 54 shots to just 3 from Averett, along with 19 caused turnovers for the Angels. Holly Hite posted her 12th double-digit performance at center field with 11 draw controls, and Arbes grabbed 8 with two ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Lilia Cruz led the attack with nine goals, two assists, and Olivia Higgs tallied seven points on five goals, two assists. Julie Capretti netted five-of six shots on goal with three ground balls, two cause turnovers. Rookie Olivia Blake notched three points, and Maya Flake dished out four assists with four ground balls, causing three turnovers. Henley Peatross recorded a goal and an assist, and Julia Doyle found the box once in the win. Defenders Natalie Purcell and Briana Petrusa combined for three caused turnovers.

Joy Deitrich earned the win as the starting goalie, and she split time with Haley Whitfield for a combined two saves on the day. Breanne Sawall earned the loss for AU with 13 stops.

The Avenging Angels now await their NCAA Tournament opponent slated for announcement Sunday, May 5. With round one action slated once again during the college's commencement Saturday, President Allen will lead an all-star cast in a mini-commencement exercise prior to the team's departure. Check back for details.

Women's Lacrosse Tournament
Women's Lacrosse Bracket
Spring Sports Festival Website

All-Tournament Team

Attack
Hannah Mae Ayers, Averett
Julie Capretti, Meredith
Lilia Cruz, Meredith
Olivia Higgs, Meredith

Midfield
Cassidy Heflin, Piedmont
Holly Hite, Meredith
Henley Peatross, Meredith
Alixis Roccia, Averett

Defense
Sarah Arbes, Meredith (MVP)
Kaitlyn Barbour, Averett
Briana Petrusa, Meredith

Goalie
Breanne Sewall, Averett