Saturday, September 17, 2005

Valparaiso hung tough with #13 Wisconsin, but the Badgers ultimately prevailed in three games (30-21, 30-21, 30-22) Saturday night at the InnTowner Invitational in Madison, Wis.

Leading the way for Valpo was Lauren Moulton (Elgin, Ill./Larkin H.S.), who hit .300 with 13 kills, while also adding five blocks. Moulton was named to the All-Tournament Team, totaling 36 kills and 19 blocks, four solo, on the weekend.

Amy Palash (Winfield, Ill./Saint Francis H.S.) contributed 11 kills and 13 digs for the Crusaders in the losing effort. Katie Bova (Milwaukee, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels H.S.) picked up her eighth double-double of the season, recording 37 assists and ten digs. Heidi Hammond (Crown Point, Ind./Merrillville H.S.) paced the Brown and Gold with 14 digs.

Three Badgers finished the match with double-digit kill totals, led by Sheila Shaw, who registered 13 kills and seven blocks while hitting at a .333 pace. Jackie Simpson notched 48 assists and 11 digs for Wisconsin, while Jocelyn Wack led all participants with 22 digs.

Wisconsin (7-1) held the edge in every major statistical category. The Badgers outhit the Crusaders .257-.138 and tallied 65 digs versus 61 for Valpo. Wisconsin also held a 10-7 edge in total blocks.

Valparaiso (9-3) begins Mid-Continent Conference play next weekend, traveling Friday to Kansas City to take on UMKC. First serve for the match against the Kangaroos is slated for 7 p.m.