The Valparaiso University volleyball team picked up their 27th win of the season Friday evening in Milwaukee, Wis., dropping Fairfield 30-23, 30-23, 31-29 in their first of two matches at the MU Battle for the Bird.

Senior Lauren Moulton (Elgin, Ill./Larkin) led a strong Crusader attack with 17 kills and a staggering .536 hitting percentage. Fellow senior Jessi Fox (Antigo, Wis./Antigo) also had double-digit kills with 13 to go along with 14 digs, her second-straight double-double and ninth of the season.

Liz Mikos (Dundee, Ill./Jacobs), who was named Mid-Con Tournament MVP last weekend, played another strong match, putting down nine kills on 19 attacks, and recording a match-high three blocks. Katie Bova (Milwaukee, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels) had seven kills, 50 assist and nine digs in the winning effort, narrowly missing another triple-double.

The Crusaders hit .344 for the match, recording 64 kills, and hit at least .286 in each of the three games. Freshman libero Brittany Marks (Elkhart, Ind./Memorial) had 14 of Valpo's 49 digs.

Lindsey Lee and Kelly Oliver led Fairfield (18-14) with eight kills apiece. The Stags had just 38 kills in the match, and hit .231.

Valpo (27-6) will conclude the MU Battle for the Bird with a 7:00 p.m. match Saturday against the hosts from Marquette, who lost 3-0 on Friday to Western Michigan. That match is the last of the regular season for the Crusaders, who will learn of their NCAA Tournament opponent Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Players, coaches and administrators will gather at Buffalouie's restaurant to watch the pairings unveiled on ESPNews at 1:00 p.m.

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