Saturday, September 06, 2003

The Valparaiso volleyball team defended its Popcorn Classic title and extended its winning streak to eight as the Crusaders defeated Indiana State 32-30, 30-26, 27-30, 30-21 on Saturday evening at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

With the win, Valpo (8-0) extended its homecourt win streak to 13 dating back to the Popcorn Classic in 2002.

Michelle Robinson (Bloomington, Ill./Normal H.S.) led the Crusaders with 19 kills, while adding ten digs to complete one of three Valpo double-doubles in the match. Marion Hansen (Huntley, Ill./Huntley H.S.) added 16 kills and 19 digs, while Liz Mikos (Dundee, Ill./Jacobs H.S.) hit .423 with 13 kills.

Sara Silcox (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City H.S.) tallied a match-high 22 digs for the Brown and Gold, while Cyndi Norman (Minooka, Ill./Minooka H.S.) dished out 58 assists and recorded 13 digs.

Kylee Osborne led Indiana State (3-3) with 25 kills and hit .345, while tallying 20 digs. Brittanie Stowell added 19 kills and hit .410 for the Sycamores.

For the match, Valpo hit .286 with 73 kills, while registering 95 digs. Indiana State tallied 75 kills, hitting .244 and posted 84 digs.

In the opening match of the evening session, Cleveland State (6-1) defeated East Tennessee State (1-5) 30-22, 30-16, 30-21. Jamie Bouyer led Cleveland State hitting .389 with ten kills, while Lissa Allen hit .562 with 11 kills for the Buccaneers.

Valparaiso won the Popcorn Classic for the second straight season, while Cleveland State was the runner-up.

Valpo will take its undefeated record to Notre Dame on Tuesday evening when the Brown and Gold battle the #21 Fighting Irish. First serve is set for 7 p.m.