Saturday, September 04, 2004

Valparaiso won the 2004 Ball State Classic on Saturday evening, defeating the host Cardinals 30-27, 30-20, 30-24 to win all three matches in Muncie, Ind.

The Crusaders held the Cardinals to just .065 hitting and 38 kills for the match to improve to 3-1 on the season.

Amy Palash (Winfield, Ill./Saint Francis H.S.) led the Brown and Gold with ten kills and 12 digs for the contest, while Lauren Moulton (Elgin, Ill./Larkin H.S.) added nine kills and five blocks. Jessi Novak (Antigo, Wis./Antigo H.S.) also registered nine kills and 11 digs for the Crusaders. Katie Bova (Milwaukee, Ill./Divine Savior Holy Angels H.S.) dished out 35 assists to go along with 14 digs.

Sara Silcox (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City H.S.) had 18 digs for Valpo while Jessie Fox (Granger, Ind./Penn H.S.) added six blocks and Liz Mikos (Dundee, Ill./Jacobs H.S.) chipped in five more at the net.

Sarah Obras and Rachel Refenes led Ball State (3-1) with 12 kills each. Stephanie Keller had a match-high 23 digs.

Fox was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player while Silcox and Moulton each earned all-tournament honors for the Crusaders.

Valparaiso will head to Notre Dame on Tuesday evening for a 7 p.m. match with the Fighting Irish.