Saturday, October 30, 2004

Valparaiso won its ninth straight home match on Saturday evening, defeating Western Illinois 30-16, 30-14, 30-20 in just 58 minutes at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

The Crusaders hit .368 as a team on the evening while improving to 22-4 overall and 11-0 in Mid-Continent Conference action.

Liz Mikos (Dundee, Ill./Jacobs H.S.) led the way for the Crusaders hitting .643 with ten kills. Lauren Moulton (Elgin, Ill./Larkin H.S.) added a match-high 11 kills, while Katie Bova (Milwaukee, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels H.S.) just missed a triple-double with nine kills, nine digs, and 37 assists. Valpo's setter also hit .692 on the night.

Lindsey Moore (Waukarusa, Ind./Penn H.S.) made the most of Senior Night, as playing in her final home conference match she tallied a match-high 12 digs. Fellow senior Sara Silcox (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City H.S.) along with freshman Amy Palash (Winfield, Ill./Saint Francis H.S.) each added 11 digs for the Brown and Gold.

Mary Olson led Western Illinois (9-15, 6-5) with ten kills and three blocks while Patty Melinauskas had a team-high nine digs.

Valpo tallied 50 kills in the match, 19 more than the visitors, while holding a 55-37 advantage in digs. The Crusaders also held the Westerwinds to just .077 hitting on the evening.

Valparaiso will close out its 2004 home schedule on Wednesday evening as the Crusaders host IPFW in a non-conference match. First serve is set for 7 p.m.