Volleyball: Serving Leads WVU Past Southern Utah
September 05, 2009 06:56 PM | General
By Kelly Tuckwiller for MSNsportsNET.com
Sept. 5, 2009
Results
DEVER, Colo., – The West Virginia University volleyball team posted a season-high 10 service aces to defeat Southern Utah today at the Denver Invitational in Denver, Colo.
“I feel like we played the best we have so far in this tournament with this match,” coach Veronica Hammersmith says. “I think we have been getting better each mach. We were very effective with the game plan that we had against Southern Utah and everybody played their position exceptionally well. It was a hard fought win, but we certainly deserved to win.”
The Mountaineers improved to 5-1 with the 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-18) victory over the Thunderbirds (2-5).
WVU led for most of set one as junior middle blocker Abby Norman posted four kills, while junior libero Bonnie West recorded seven digs. Tied at four, a dig by West, followed by a kill from senior outside hitter Abby Raines sent the Mountaineers on a run to take the lead for the rest of the set. With the score 24-15, Centennial, Colo., native, sophomore Abby Monson came in to secure the set with her first kill of the tournament.
In set two, the Mountaineers posted five service aces including two from West and one from senior defensive specialist Tamara De Angelis to hold on to a commanding lead.
WVU once again dominated in set three posting three more service aces and 12 kills. Tied at10, a bad set from the Thunderbirds followed by sophomore setter Kari Post’s second service ace, sent the Mountaineers on a 7-0 run, giving WVU the advantage. Monson then came in to once again finish the match, giving her two kills with a .667 hitting percentage.
Junior middle blocker Lauren Evans led the Mountaineers in the match with a season-high 10 kills, while West recorded 20 digs and three service aces.
As a team, the Mountaineers posted 42 kills, 53 digs, 10 service aces and eight team blocks. Today’s win marks the fifth-straight match the Mountaineers have won in three sets.
The Mountaineers are set to complete the Denver Invitational tonight with a 7:30 p.m. M.T. match against tournament host Denver.
