NOVEMBER 6, 2002
BOB ZIADIE
KING'S VOLLEYBALL ADVANCES TO FREEDOM CONFERENCE
FINAL WITH 3-0 WIN OVER SCRANTON
WILKES-BARRE -- The King's College women's
volleyball team moved to within one step of winning the MAC Freedom
Conference championship as the Lady Monarchs knocked off defending
champion University of Scranton 3-0 in a semi-final pairing.
Top-seeded King's, which won by scores of 30-26,
30-23, 30-18, improved to 37-1 on the year while ranking 25th in the
American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III National Poll.
Scranton entered the tournament as the fourth seed and saw its record fall
to 20-15. A year ago, the Lady Royals defeated King's 3-2 to win the
conference crown.
The first game was nip-and-tuck throughout but with
King's leading 28-26, the Lady Monarchs would score the final two points
to claim the opening contest. In the second game, King's struggled
mightily with its serving and was unable to generate scoring
opportunities. King's had seven service errors, four in a row at one
point, and trailed 23-21.
But the lady Monarchs regrouped and closed out the game with a 9-1 spurt.
In the third game, King's built a 9-2 lead but Scranton would battle back
to within 14-10. King's, however, would counter and went off on a 16-8 run
to end the contest.
The Lady Monarchs were led by junior Annie German
who was brilliant with 16 kills and four blocks. Senior Stephanie Spencer
was also solid with 12 kills and three blocks. Senior setter Katie Baffone
distributed 39 assists while junior Jessica McVey added 21 digs and six
kills. Senior Faith O'Dell contributed nine kills and 14 digs, while
senior libero Tara Holly chipped in with 16 digs.
Scranton was led by Bridget Troxel and Jennifer Toth
with eight kills each while Jillian Federico added 16 digs.
King's will next host second-seeded Lycoming College
in the Freedom Conference championship Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Lycoming
knocked off third-seeded FDU-Florham 3-0 in the other semi-final pairing.
The winner of the conference championship will gain an automatic berth
into the NCAA Division III National Championships.
Tickets are $4 for adults, $3 for senior, $2 for students while children
under age six will be admitted free.
