Athletics Headlines: Women's Volleyball Falls Short in Elite Eight

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December 3, 2006

Women's Volleyball Falls Short in Elite Eight

Columbia, Mo. – The No. 9 Missouri Baptist Lady Spartans swept Hastings College in their play-in qualifier match, this morning, at the 2006 NAIA National Volleyball Championships, before losing to National American University, this afternoon, ending their run at the 2006 National Championship. In their first match, the Lady Spartans, in straight sets, defeated Hastings 30-24, 30-24, 35-33, followed by their afternoon, quarterfinal match, where the Lady Spartans fell to Northern American 19-30, 27-30, 21-30.

Missouri Baptist was able to sweep Hastings University in three straight sets, dominating all the statistical categories edging Hastings in hitting percentage (.237 to .160), kills (59 to 41), assists (49 to 36), and digs (89 to 46). Senior Ana Mercado had a career match against Hastings posting a .368 hitting percentage, 36 kills, along with 11 digs. With their win, in this elimination match, the Lady Spartans secured their bid in a quarterfinal match against National American.

In their second elimination match of the day, the Lady Spartans had a tougher time with National American University, as the Lady Spartans fell in a evenly matched contest. National American swept the Lady Spartans in all of the major statistical categories including hitting percentage (.381 to .275), kills (53 to 49), digs (43 to 34), service aces (9 to 0), assists (50 to 45), and blocks (5 to 3). Continuing where she left off earlier in the day, Mercado finished off her career as a Lady Spartan, with another stellar match having a .368 hitting percentage, 33 kills and 4 digs.

The Lady Spartans finish the season with an overall record of 33-10. With the end of the season, sophomore Tracey Abell, senior Ana Mercado, senior Shannan Swiney earned first team All Region V honors. In addition to making the All Region team, Mercado was voted as the Region V Player of the Year, in addition to Abell being voted Libero of the Year. This afternoons match, marks the final match for seniors Swiney, Mercado and Ashlee Lukasek.