Nicole Schulz (Kewaskum, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran) had a monster morning and the Crusader offense was firing on all cylinders as Valpo blew past High Point 30-14, 30-25, 30-17 in the first match of the Catamount Clash V Tournament in Cullowhee, N.C. Friday.

Schulz led all players with 14 kills and five blocks (two solos), but impressed most by hitting .619, putting down her 14 kills on only 21 attacks and with just one error. The attack percentage was the highest by any Crusader this season, and paced a Valpo offense that made only 16 attack errors and hit .324, also a season best.

Senior Jessie Fox (Granger, Ind./Penn) also took great advantage of the favorable hitting conditions, blasting 12 kills on only 25 attacks and making just one error. Fox also matched Schulz's five blocks, and had three solos to match a career-high and mark the highest single-match total for any Crusader this year.

Angie Porché (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton-Fractional South) failed to reach double-digit kills for only the second time all season, but had seven kills on 13 attacks (with one error) and did so despite seeing the court in only two of the three games. Fellow freshman Val Bollenbacher (Bremen, Ind./Bremen) also had a strong morning, setting a career-high with five kills and leading the team with three service aces. Bollenbacher added a career-high total in digs with seven, second on the team to Brittany Marks (Elkhart, Ind./Memorial) who had 17.

The Crusaders held High Point (1-9) to a .050 hitting percentage, never letting the Panthers hit even .100 in a single game. Valpo also out-dog their opponent 49-31 and had nine blocks to only four for High Point.

Valpo (6-5) will be back in action Friday afternoon at the Catamount Clash V, taking on Kennesaw State at 3:30 p.m. That match will be carried live on 95.1 FM and online at www.valpo.edu/athletics, with live stats available at www.catamountsports.com.

box score
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