Lakeland College

Muskies Claim First NAC Victory of the Season Over Edgewood

Athletics - posted on 9/12/2006

The women's volleyball team (5-0) kept their win streak alive in their first match of Northern Athletics Conference play, downing Edgewood College 3-1.

After rolling over the Eagles in the first two games 30-22 and 30-17, the Muskies faltered in the third game 27-30 forcing the match into a fourth game.

"We blew them out so bad in the first two games that we slowed down our game," said head coach Chad Schreiber. "They tried so hard to calm down that they calmed down too much. We lost all speed and excitement to our game."

However, the squad quickly recovered to claim the final game 30-20 to secure the win.

Junior outside hitter Ashley Domask blazed an offensive trail for the Muskies, recording 17 kills and adding 12 digs to aid the defense. Freshmen Brittanie Paulus and Kaylyn Kasper also contributed to the winning effort, knocking down nine and six kills respectively. Paulus also led the team in digs with 14.

Junior setter Jessica Sparling also made significant contributions, continuing her success from the team's season-opening tournament at Ripon College, recording 46 assists, seven kills and six digs on the night.

"Jess Sparling is doing an amazing job as our setter," said Schreiber. "We are also showing evident strength in the middle."

Middle hitter Shelly Bruni (junior) was third overall in kills for her team with eight and topped the block assists column with four on the night.

Although the team compiled an impressive eleven serving aces, four of which came from junior defensive specialist Rachel Young, they also added fifteen service errors to their serving stat line.

"Our serving was our best weapon and our worst enemy," commented Schreiber. "When we'd miss, we'd miss by five to ten feet or more. The misses we had were real bad misses, but our aces really handcuffed their passers."

The Muskies will attempt to keep their win streak alive this weekend at the UW-Oshkosh tournament in Oshkosh, Wis., where they will face some of the top teams in the region.

"Seven out of nine teams at this tournament were regionally ranked and/or won their conference last year," Schreiber said.

The Muskies will start the tournament on Friday with University of St. Thomas and Elmhurst, both of which have a history of being part of the Top 25 in their region.

"I hope we can take first or second place in our pool the first day so we can play the better teams the second day."

If the Muskies succeed in securing one of the top spots after the first day's matches they could likely face the defending national champion squad in UW-Whitewater, Carthage College or UW-Oshkosh in the second day of tournament action.

Game time for the first match on Friday against Elmhurst is set for 3 p.m., followed by match number two vs. St. Thomas at 7:30 p.m.

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