Volleyball Wraps-up Davis & Elkins Tournament With Split
09/06/08...After a pair of wins on Friday to open the 2008 Davis & Elkins (WV) College Tournament, head coach Linda Renzi's Lady Cat volleyball team swept the University of the District of Columbia, but suffered a 3-games-to-0 loss to Tiffin (OH) University. Junior outside hitter Nicole Houser (Penn Run, Pa.) had 16 kills in Saturday's two matches. The Lady Cats are now 4-3.
Pitt-Johnstown began Saturday's action with a 25-17, 25-20, 25-16 sweep over U.D.C. Junior middle hitter Kristin Irwin (Bellefonte, Pa.) had 10 kills and two block solos, while Houser continued her solid play with nine kills. Merissa Larrew (Irwin, Pa.) had 17 assists, and Taylor King (York, Pa.) chipped in 13 assists. Sophomore outside hitter Taylor Hrescak (Johnstown, Pa.) tallied four service aces to help the Lady Cats to their third consecutive sweep.
Tiffin dealt the Lady Cats an 18-25, 16-25, 23-25 loss to close the tournament. Houser and senior outside hitter Kayla Lape (Fishertown, Pa.) each had seven kills. Larrew and King had 13 and eight assists, respectively, and Sierra Steele (Windber, Pa.) had three block assists apiece in the loss.
The Lady Cats opened the tournament by sweeping Central State 25-8, 25-11, 25-11 on Friday. Houser had seven kills, while Hrescak had seven kills and two service aces, and Irwin chipped in six kills, five blocks and three aces. Larrew had 16 assists and King added nine assists. Senior defensive specialist Katie Shadron (Ligonier, Pa.) had five services aces in the victory.
The Lady Cats then closed Friday's action with a 25-20, 25-10, 25-8 sweep over Lincoln. Houser gatherd nine more kills and Irwin had seven kills, and two blocks. Coach Renzi also got six kills from Lape and three aces from junior Abbey Gearhart (Salix, Pa.) Larrew (19 assists) and King (11 assists) combined for 30 assists.
Pitt-Johnstown hosts WVIAC matches against West Liberty State (WV) College on Wednesday and Glenville State (WV) College on Friday. Both matches will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Sports Center.