Tuesday, October 21, 2003

Valparaiso saw its eight-game winning streak come to an end on Tuesday evening as the Crusaders dropped a four-game match, 22-30, 30-25, 30-27, 30-27, to IPFW in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The Crusaders hit .297 while winning the opening game, but allowed the Mastodons to hit .295 in game two to even the match. IPFW then slightly outhit Valpo in each of the final two games for the victory.

Sarah Schmalz (Corona, Calif./Riverside Christian H.S.) led the Crusaders, hitting .520 with 14 kills. Michelle Robinson (Bloomington, Ill./Normal H.S.) had a team-high 16 kills, hitting .208, while Marion Hansen (Huntley, Ill./Huntley H.S.) added 11 kills.

Hansen and Sara Silcox (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City H.S.) each tallied a match-high 19 digs, while Cyndi Norman (Minooka, Ill./Minooka H.S.) registered a double-double with 14 digs and 45 assists. Liz Mikos (Dundee, Ill./Jacobs H.S.) rejected 13 IPFW attempts.

Fabiana Souza led IPFW with 25 kills and 15 digs, while Kirsta Solberg added 11 kills, 12 digs, and five blocks. Nicole Ray had a team-high 16 digs for the Mastodons.

Valpo outhit IPFW (15-9) .199-.190 for the match and held a 16-12 advantage in blocks. The Mastodons tallied two more digs than the Crusaders, 81-79.

Valparaiso (19-5) will again try for its 20th victory of the season on Friday evening when the Crusaders host Oral Roberts. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at the Athletics-Recreation Center.