Saturday, October 23, 2004

Valparaiso's 14th straight victory was a thrilling one on Saturday evening as the Crusaders defeated Oral Roberts in five games 25-30, 30-20, 30-21, 29-31, 15-9 in Tulsa, Okla.

With the win, the Crusaders improve to 20-3 on the season and 9-0 in the Mid-Continent Conference. Valpo has now won 20 matches three straight years and eight times in school history.

Amy Palash (Winfield, Ill./Saint Francis H.S.) led the Crusaders with 15 kills and 16 digs, while Tiffany Meikle (Cottage Grove, Wis./Monona Grove H.S.) added 12 kills and 17 digs. Katie Bova (Milwaukee, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels H.S.) added a double-double as well with 58 assists and 16 digs.

Lauren Moulton (Elgin, Ill./Larkin H.S.) added 14 kills and five blocks, while Jessie Fox (Granger, Ind./Penn H.S.) contributed 13 kills and seven blocks. Liz Mikos (Dundee, Ill./Jacobs H.S.) also had 12 kills and eight blocks, including five solos.

Ori Zuzic led Oral Roberts (14-11, 6-3 Mid-Con) with 19 kills and 19 digs, while Becky Brunelle added 15 digs.

Valpo hit .218 for the match while holding the Golden Eagles to just .107. The Crusaders outblocked Oral Roberts 16-6 and held an 86-63 advantage in digs.

Valpo will return to action on Sunday afternoon as the Crusaders travel to Fayetteville, Ark. for a 1:30 p.m. match against the Arkansas Razorbacks.