Friday, November 22, 2002

The Crusaders volleyball team came to a close on Friday evening as Valparaiso dropped a five-game match against IUPUI three games to two in the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament semifinals held in Tulsa, Okla.

The schools alternated winning games as the Jaguars finally took the two-hour, five-minute match 30-25, 22-30, 30-26, 29-31, 15-11.

Michelle Robinson (Bloomington, Ill./Normal H.S.) led the Crusaders with 20 kills, while Marion Hansen (Huntley, Ill./Huntley H.S.) added 14 kills and 23 digs. Heather Hynds (Sylvan Lake, Ill./Mundelein H.S.) tallied 13 kills and Elissa Malthaner (Brighton, Mich./Brighton H.S.) added 12 more as four Crusaders tallied double-figure kill totals.

Sara Silcox (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City H.S.) had a match-high 38 digs, while Hynds and Sarah Schmalz (Corona, Calif./Riverside Christian H.S.) each tallied four blocks. Cyndi Norman (Minooka, Ill./Minooka H.S.) registered 55 assists.

Rebekah Pallikan led IUPUI with 25 kills and 32 digs, while Michelle Sobocinski added 18 kills. Erin Jones also recorded 32 digs, while Pallikan also netted five blocks.

Valparaiso's season comes to a close with a 20-10 record, while IUPUI (13-18) advances to the Mid-Con title match on Saturday against Oral Roberts.