Saturday, August 27, 2005

Valparaiso fell to Western Michigan in three games (27-30, 22-30, 26-30) Saturday evening in the final match of the WMU Fall Kickoff Tournament.

The Crusaders were led offensively by 11 kills from Jessi Novak (Antigo, Wis./Antigo H.S.). Lauren Moulton (Elgin, Ill./Larkin H.S.) added ten kills for the Brown and Gold, while Amy Palash (Winfield, Ill./Saint Francis H.S.) contributed nine kills.

Heidi Hammond (Crown Point, Ind./Merrillville H.S.) picked up 12 digs for the Brown and Gold, while Katie Bova (Milwaukee, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels H.S.) dished out 37 assists to go along with nine digs.

Shaylen Jackson led the way for Western Michigan, hitting .448 for the match with 14 kills and also registering five blocks. Kathryn Babcock and Abby Hephart also finished with double-digit kills for the Broncos, and Katy Duffy recorded 29 digs.

Western Michigan (2-0) outhit Valpo .271-.171 for the match. The Broncos also held a 59-47 advantage in digs and tallied nine blocks, versus four for the Crusaders.

Valparaiso (1-1) returns to action September 2, as they head to Chicago, Ill. to take part in the Blue Demon Invitational. The Crusaders take on Evansville at 10 a.m. before facing Chicago State at 4:30 p.m.