Season Ends at Hands of Scorpions, 3-1
MU's game four comeback fall short

Nov. 30, 2007

		Head Coach Jerry Abraham addresses his team following their season ending loss to Texas-Brownsville Friday.

Columbia, Mo. – The Madonna volleyball team saw their 2007 season come to a close Friday, falling to the University of Texas at Brownsville 3-1 (30-25, 28-30, 19-30, 30-32) in the round of ten at the NAIA National Championships.

The Crusaders got off to a great start behind the attacks of Lubovj Tihomirova and Mary McGinnis for a win in game one, 30-28.

It was all downhill from there as the Scorpions stormed back to take games two and three, but the experience of MU showed in game four as they rallied from a six-point deficit early to force 11 ties and taking a 30-29 lead late.  With the Crusaders one point away from forcing a deciding game five, UT-Brownsville ripped off three straight points, winning 32-30 and eliminating the Crusaders.

"Our offense just wasn't there after game one," said Assistant Coach Ed Tolentino following the match.  "I contribute that to us not playing very well.  On the other side of the radio you hear the kills, but it is hard to run a competitive offense if you don't have the passing"

Tihomirova led the way for MU in defeat with 19 kills, McGinnis added 13 while Whitney Fueling contributed nine kills and six service aces.
Sophomore setter Inta Grinvalds posted 50 assists and senior libero Jacqui Gatt added 17 digs.

"Our girls played their hearts out and it is always tough to see your season come to a close," Tolentino continued. "I credit UT-Brownsville, they are a very talented team and their top players are young...they will be a force for a long time"

The loss caps a successful season for Madonna (35-12) and the careers of MU seniors Gatt and Amy Szymanski.  The duo were a part of four straight National Championship qualifying teams and also won four consecutive WHAC regular season titles.

"Amy was the mother figure of this team," stated Tolentino. "She got her point across and will definitely be missed. She gave us everything we asked of her."

"Jacqui is one of the best defensive players I have ever worked with, at any level," Tolentino continued.  "Her leadership off the court will be missed greatly. She was that stern hand and helped keep our team in line helping the young kids learn the legacy of MU volleyball through her words and actions."

MU, which claimed their 11th straight WHAC title and another NAIA Region VIII title earlier this month, finished the year with less than 40 wins for the first time since 2001, posting a 35-12 record this year.

Texas-Brownsville advances to the quarterfinal round to face No. 1 Fresno Pacific at 3:30 pm (CT).

Contact:
Matt Fancett, Assistant AD - Media Relations
(734) 432-5610