Saturday, October 02, 2004

Valparaiso won its eighth straight victory on Saturday evening as the Crusaders rallied from a game one loss to defeat UMKC 25-30, 30-19, 30-19, 30-17 in Kansas City, Mo.

Amy Palash (Winfield, Ill./Saint Francis H.S.) led Valpo with 14 kills and 12 digs while Katie Bova (Milwaukee, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels H.S.) also recorded a double-double with 44 assists and 13 digs.

Lauren Moulton (Elgin, Ill./Larkin H.S.) added 12 kills and hit .417 while adding six blocks, while Jessi Novak (Antigo, Wis./Antigo H.S.) added 12 kills hitting .400. Jessie Fox (Granger, Ind./Penn H.S.) added ten kills and nine blocks, while Sara Silcox (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City H.S.) registered a match-high 15 digs.

Vanessa Portela led UMKC (3-12, 1-3 Mid-Con) with 14 kills while Lauren Starks added 11 kills and ten digs. Kristy Waltemeyer dished out 40 assists for the Kangaroos.

Valpo hit .250 for the match with 61 kills, 17 more than UMKC. The Crusaders also outdug the Kangaroos 56-44 and outblocked the hosts 14-6.

Valparaiso (14-3, 4-0) will bring its eight-match winning streak back home to the Athletics-Recreation Center on Friday evening for a 7 p.m. match against IUPUI.