Athletics Headlines: Women's Volleyball Starts 2-0 at NAIA Tourney

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November 30, 2006

Women's Volleyball Starts 2-0 at NAIA Tourney

Columbia, Mo. – The No. 9 Missouri Baptist Lady Spartans swept their first two matches, at the 2006 NAIA National Volleyball Championships, sweeping Georgetown 30-22, 30-27, 30-25 and defeated Northwestern 30-22, 30-25, 24-30, 30-28. With the win, the Lady Spartans improve to 2-0 at the 2006 Championships.

Missouri Baptist was able to sweep Georgetown in three straight sets despite a close statistical match with Missouri Baptist having the slight edge in hitting percentage (.121 to .113), kills (32 to 31), assists (31 to 29), service aces (13 to 5) and falling in the categories of digs (28 to 49) and blocks (9 to 14). The Lady Spartans were led in the match by senior Shannan Swiney who had a .375 hitting percentage, 25 assist and 3 kills.

In their second match of the day, the Lady Spartans had a little tougher time with Northwestern College, as many of the statistical categories were just about even. The Lady Spartans led Northwestern in hitting percentage (.284 to .278), kills (61-58), digs (39 to 37), service aces (8 to 6), while losing in assist (53 to 57) and blocks (7 to 14). Production for the Lady Spartans came from senior Ana Mercado who had a .375 hitting percentage, 35 kills, and 2 blocks, along with sophomore Brittnay Lukasek who was able to maintain a .458 hitting percentage, 11 kills, along with 2 blocks and assist.

The Lady Spartans continues pool play with a 6 p.m. match tomorrow, Nov. 30, in Columbia, Mo., on Court 2(Arena Court).