Volleyball: WVU Prepares for Denver Invite
September 03, 2009 12:33 PM | General
By Kelly Tuckwiller for MSNsportsNET.com
Sept. 3, 2009
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University volleyball team is set to continue its season with a trip to Denver, Colo., for the Denver Invitational at the Hamilton Gymnasium. The Mountaineers’ first match is set for 1 p.m., E.S.T. on Friday, Sept. 4, against Eastern Illinois.
Over the weekend, the Mountaineers will also face Air Force at 7 p.m. on Friday, followed by Southern Utah at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and Denver at 9:30 p.m.
The Mountaineers are 2-1 this season after earning second place last weekend at the WVU Classic. WVU started the weekend with a 0-3 loss to Oakland, but returned to sweep Towson (3-0) and Saint Francis, Pa. (3-0).
Senior right side hitter Abby Raines and junior middle blocker Abby Norman led the Mountaineers, as both were named to the all-tournament team. Raines recorded 33 kills and 33 digs over the weekend, while Norman posted 23 kills and nine blocks.
The Mountaineers own a 2-1 advantage in the series record with Eastern Illinois after a 3-0 defeat in their last meeting in 1990. This season the Panthers are 2-2 after falling to Drake 3-2 last weekend. Junior outside hitter Alex Zwettler leads the panthers this season with 49 kills, 51 digs and four double-doubles, including one in the loss to Drake.
Air Force enters the weekend with its best start since the 1999 season, with a 3-1 record. At the La Salle Invitational, the Falcons posted victories over La Salle (3-2), Fairleigh Dickinson (3-1) and Canisius (3-0), while falling to Cleveland State (0-3). Juniors Caroline Kurtz and Nichole Stilwell were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts. Kurtz led with 47 kills and nine service aces, while Stilwell added 38 kills and nine blocks.
In their second first-time meeting of the weekend, the Mountaineers are set to face Southern Utah (2-2). The Thunderbirds ended the Sam Houston State Tournament last weekend with a 3-1 victory over Texas Pan American and a 0-3 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette. Redshirt freshman and outside hitter Ana Pelaez led the squad and was named to the all-tournament team after recording 61 kills over the weekend.
Tournament host Denver currently holds a 1-0 record over the Mountaineers after a 3-0 victory in 2006. This season the Pioneers are 0-3, after falling to Notre Dame (3-0), LSU (3-2) and No. 5 Stanford (3-0). Senior Emmy Davidsmeyer has powered the Pioneers this season with 44 kills, including 19 in the loss to the Cardinals. Junior Jordan Raines also leads the team with 35 kills and 26 digs this season.
For live stats, or to follow the Mountaineers at the Denver Invitational visit, http://www.denverpioneers.com.
