VALPARAISO, Ind. �€" Double-double efforts from Ori Zuzic (Porec, Croatia) and Jackie Oliveira (Minas Gerais, Brazil) lifted the Oral Roberts University volleyball team past Western Illinois, 3-1 (26-30, 30-24, 30-23, 30-22), in semi-final action at the 2005 Mid-Continent Conference volleyball Championship. The Golden Eagles will face Valparaiso in the tournament's title match tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.

Zuzic, the 2005 Mid-Con Player of the Year, totaled 19 kills, 20 digs, and four blocks, while Oliveira added a match-high 23 kills and hit .378 while collecting 19 digs.

ORU (22-10) fell in an early 1-0 deficit, as Western Illinois (17-14) claimed game one, 30-26. The game was tied at 13-13 when the Westerwinds used an 8-2 spurt to open up a 21-16 lead. Western held off a late run for the 30-26 win.

The Golden Eagles fell behind again in game two, trailing 21-17 more than half way through the game. But an 8-0 spurt put ORU ahead 25-21 as they held on for the 30-24 victory to tie the match at one game a piece.

Western hit just .120 in the second game, as the Golden Eagles forced 10 errors in their 50 attempts.

ORU kept the momentum rolling from there, taking games three (30-23) and four (30-22) to advance to the conference title game.

The Golden Eagle defense was up to task throughout the match, limiting the Westerwinds to a .135 attack percentage while totaling 104 digs and 10 team blocks. Libero Cris Alves (Sao Caetano, Brazil) led ORU with 21 picks.

Mary Olsen led Western with 12 kills and five blocks, and teammate Jennifer Alexander finished with a match-high 32 digs.

Tomorrow will mark the third meeting this season for the Golden Eagles and Crusaders, with each winning on their home court.

-ORU-