Monday, September 18, 2006

After winning a share of the Catamount Clash V Tournament Title Saturday in Cullowhee, N.C., Jessie Fox (Granger, Ind./Penn) and Nicole Schulz (Kewaskum, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran) have been named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Crusaders went 3-0 at the two-day event, winning without dropping a single game and tying Kent State for the tournament crown. Valpo knocked off High Point and Kennesaw State on Friday before taking down host Western Carolina Saturday morning.

Schulz earned a spot on her first career All-Tournament team by hitting a magnificent .500 over the three matches, including a 14-kill, one-error, 21-attack clinic against High Point. Schulz's .619 hitting percentage in that match was the highest by any Crusader this season. The junior led the team in kills and hitting percentage over the course of the weekend and also chipped in nine blocks.

Fox, named to her second All-Tournament Team of the season and the fourth of her four-year career, did most of her damage on the defensive end. The middle blocker led the Crusaders with 13 blocks, including a career-high three solo blocks against High Point. Fox was consistent, with five blocks against the Panthers and four each against Kennesaw State and Western Carolina. The senior also did fine offense work, picking up 29 kills and hitting .355 for the tournament.

The Crusaders (8-5) open the home portion of their schedule Tuesday night when they take on DePaul at 7:00 p.m. That match will be carried live from the Athletics-Recreation Center on 95.1 FM, WVUR, and online at www.valpo.edu/athletics.