Friday, September 24, 2004

Valparaiso registered 20 blocks, one shy of the school record for blocks in a four-game match, as the Crusaders defeated the Mid-Continent Conference preseason favorite, Oral Roberts, 30-23, 30-22, 29-31, 30-26 on Friday evening at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

Jessie Fox (Granger, Ind./Penn H.S.) led the block party with 12, including three solos for the Brown and Gold, while adding 11 kills to complete her double-double. Lauren Moulton (Elgin, Ill./Larkin H.S.) added 16 kills and ten blocks, all assists, as the Crusaders improved to 10-3 overall.

Liz Mikos (Dundee, Ill./Jacobs H.S.) added 14 kills, hit .370, and rejected eight shots in the Mid-Con opener for each team. Katie Bova (Milwaukee, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels H.S.) just missed a triple-double, dishing out 49 assists, 18 digs, and nine kills, while hitting .368.

Amy Palash (Winfield, Ill./Saint Francis H.S.) recorded a team-leading 30 digs in the contest, while also registering 12 kills for the Brown and Gold. Sara Silcox (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City H.S.) added 22 digs for the Crusaders.

Ori Zuzic led Oral Roberts (5-9, 0-1 Mid-Con) with 23 kills while Maja Devic added 11 more. Becky Dreher added a match-high 35 digs for the Golden Eagles.

Valpo hit .236 for the match with 70 kills, while adding 93 digs. Oral Roberts hit just .135 with 63 kills and 88 digs.

Valparaiso will return to action on Saturday evening when the Crusaders hosts Centenary at the ARC. First serve is set for 7 p.m.