Saturday, November 20, 2004

Valparaiso's volleyball team defended its Mid-Continent Conference Tournament title on Saturday afternoon, sweeping Oral Roberts 30-24, 30-28, 30-20 in Tulsa, Okla. to earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Katie Bova (Milwaukee, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels H.S.), the tournament's Most Valuable Player, dished out 45 assists, while adding a team-high 13 digs. She also had six blocks. Lauren Moulton (Elgin, Ill./Larking H.S.) led Valpo with a .522 hitting percentage, setting a new Mid-Con Tournament record, and 13 kills.

Jessie Novak, (Antigo, Wis./Antigo H.S.) also named to the All-Tournament Team alongside Bova, hit .419 with 14 kills. Liz Mikos (Dundee, Ill./Jacobs H.S.), the third member of the All-Tournament Team had six blocks and seven kills, while hitting .583.

Ori Zuzic led Oral Roberts (19-14) with 18 kills while hitting .289. Becky Dreher had a match-high 25 digs for the Golden Eagles.

Valpo (29-4) outhit Oral Roberts .302-.130 and outblocked the Golden Eagles 9-6.

The Crusaders won their ninth straight match and 23rd in their last 24 outings. The tournament title was the fifth in school history for the Brown and Gold. Valpo will make its second appearance to the NCAA Tournament, its first coming last season. The pairings will be announced on Sunday, November 28.