Saturday, September 27, 2003

Valparaiso went down to Tulsa, Okla. on Saturday evening and did what no Mid-Continent Conference team has ever done since Oral Roberts joined the Mid-Con. The Crusaders defeated the Golden Eagles, and did so soundly, 30-23, 30-27, 30-27.

Valpo's victory ended Oral Roberts home court win streak against Mid-Con foes at 46 and improved the Crusaders to 14-4 on the season, 2-0 in conference play.

Michelle Robinson (Bloomington, Ill./Normal H.S.) led the Crusaders with 12 kills and hit .407, while Liz Mikos (Dundee, Ill./Jacobs H.S.) added seven kills and hit .700.

Valpo's defense was the story on the evening though, as the Brown and Gold registered 13 blocks, including seven from Heather Hynds (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein H.S.) and six more from Mikos. Lauren Moulton (Elgin, Ill./Larkin H.S.) added five blocks to go along with her eight kills. Sara Silcox (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City H.S.) tallied nine digs for the Crusaders.

Kimberly Snow led Oral Roberts (8-10, 1-1 Mid-Con) with 17 kills and hit .429 while Orieta Zuzic tallied 15 kills. Becky Dreher tallied a match-high 17 digs for the Golden Eagles.

For the match, Valpo hit .287 with 40 kills while Oral Roberts had 56 kills and hit .205. Valpo only made nine attack errors all evening. The Crusaders hit .359 in game two with 16 kills and just two errors. Oral Roberts outdug Valpo 54-37, but tallied just three blocks and committed 12 service errors.

Valparaiso will return to the Athletics-Recreation Center on Friday evening when the Crusaders entertain UMKC in a 7 p.m. match.