Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Valparaiso moved one step closer to reaching the 20-win plateau for the tenth straight season, defeating Chicago State 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 19-25, 25-14) Tuesday evening in Chicago, Ill.

Junior Mary Dent (Chicago, Ill./Von Steuben) led the way offensively in her hometown, picking up a team-best 14 kills on the night.  Senior Amy Groesbeck (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North) added nine kills, while freshman Morgan Beil (St. Louis, Mo./Marquette) continued her efficient hitting, needing just 10 swings to tally her eight kills, hitting at an .800 clip.

Senior Jenny Pokorny (Geneva, Ill./Geneva) picked up a double-double over the four sets, handing out 40 assists and registering 11 digs.  Pokorny also set a season high with five blocks at the net, while Dent and sophomore Janelle Hobbs (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) both were in on four of Valpo’s 12 team rejections.  Junior Taylor Root (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) led all players with 26 digs, while sophomore Sarah Dooms (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) matched Pokorny with 11 digs.

Alexandra Mason led Chicago State (2-27) with a match-high 17 kills and also added 12 digs.  Mysta Townsell recorded 24 digs to lead the Cougars, and Sydney Van Munster led all players with seven blocks.

Valparaiso (19-12) closes the Horizon League slate on Senior Night at the ARC Friday night as the Crusaders take on league-leading Milwaukee at 7 p.m.  The game can be heard live on WVUR, 95.1 FM, Valparaiso and seen on the Horizon League Network.  Links for the live audio and video, as well as live stats, will be available online at www.valpoathletics.com.