TULSA, Okla. �€" The Oral Roberts University women's
volleyball team used a total team effort to down Western Illinois
3-1 (30-26, 30-22, 26-30, 30-24) in the Mid-Con semifinals Friday
night at the ORU Aerobic Center. With the victory the Golden Eagles
(19-13, 11-4) advance to tomorrow's 2:00 p.m. championship against
Valparaiso (28-4, 15-0) where an automatic berth to the NCAA
Tournament will be on the line.
Sophomore outside hitter Ori Zuzic (Porec, Croatia) led the ORU
attack with her team leading 13th double-double of the season,
recording 24 kills and adding 14 digs.
Two other Golden Eagles chipped in with double-double efforts, as
senior outside hitter Becky Brunelle (Saskatoon, Canada) notched 13
kills and 13 digs and sophomore outside hitter Brittany Arnold
(Tulsa, Oklahoma) added 16 digs and 12 kills.
Senior libero Becky Dreher (Prince George, Canada), the 2004
Mid-Con Defensive Player of the Year, led a staunch ORU defense,
setting a new Mid-Con tournament record with 37 digs in a four-game
match. The Golden Eagles held the Westernwinds (13-17, 9-6) to a
mere .159 attack percentage on the night, including a match-low of
.087 in the second game.
ORU, the tournament's second seed, was in control of the match all
night, jumping out to a two game to nothing lead after taking games
one and two 30-26 and 30-22, respectively. Western Illinois tried
to get back in the match, stealing game three 26-30 and gaining
some much needed momentum.
The Golden Eagles responded right away, jumping out to a quick 8-3
lead in game four. From there it was all blue and gold, as ORU shut
the door on the Westernwinds and cruised to a 30-24 win.
Amy Sauerwein paced Western Illinois with 12 kills and 14 digs.
In game one of the tournament, top-seeded Valparaiso defeated IUPUI
3-1 (30-18, 31-33, 30-22, 30-21) to earn their spot in tomorrow's
championship. It is the second straight year that the Golden Eagles
and Crusaders have met in the Mid-Con Championship, as Valpo took
the title in five games.
Admission to the championship is free.
--ORU--
