MU Rolls Over SAU In
Season Debut, 3-0
August 20,
2008
BOX SCORE
LIVONIA, Mich. - -
Behind 15 kills from All-American Lubovj Tihomirova and 13 more from
Mary McGinnis, the 10th-ranked Madonna volleyball team opened the
season with a 3-0 sweep of visiting Spring Arbor Wednesday night in the
Activities Center.
Set one saw
the Crusaders fall behind 2-0 but rebound quickly to move back in front at 7-4
before going on an 11-6 run and force the Cougars into a time out at 18-10. MU
then put the opening frame away with a 7-5 run behind three points from
Tihomirova and a combo block from McGinnis and Whitney Fuelling. McGinnis
provided point 25 with a kill off of an Inta Grinvalds back set for the
25-15 final. MU hit .419 compared to .077 for SAU in set one.
The second
set of the night was all Madonna from the start as MU opened up a 12-4 edge
using four points from Brynn Kerr at the service line and four kills from
Tihomirova. SAU crept back into the set as MU struggled to find a rhythm in the
middle of the second frame. But a kill from Grinvalds and two service aces from
Fuelling gave MU the win at 25-13. Set two saw the Crusaders hit at a .294 clip
against just a .087 clip for the Cougars.
Set three
was closer than the first two as SAU kept with in four points most of the set
until MU went on a 10-6 run to close the match and win 3-0. For the match
Madonna hit at a .294 rate while Spring Arbor struggled, hitting just .089.
Grinvalds
handed out 39 assists while Kerr led the defense with 12 digs. The Crusaders had
10 blocks, all of the combo variety with Fuelling leading the way with five.
Taria Olds had nine kills to lead SAU.
Madonna has
little time to enjoy its season opening win as the Crusaders will make the short
trip to Dearborn to take part in the Early Bird Challenge Friday and Saturday at
UM-Dearborn. MU opens play against Marian College at 1pm on Friday.
Contact:
Patrick Moore, Sports Information Director
(734) 432-5834
pimoore@madonna.edu
