September 24, 1997

MONMOUTH WINS WILD VOLLEYBALL MATCH AGAINST LORAS

Monmouth,IL -- In a match which featured long rallies, exciting points and numerous lead changes, the Monmouth College women=s volleyball team outlasted Loras College in a non-conference contest tonight at Glennie Gym. The Duhawks forced the match to a full five games, but Monmouth prevailed by scores of 15-13, 8-15, 15-8, 6-15 and 15-9 to win their second consecutive home match and improve their season mark to 6-5.

The first game was an indication of the excitement ahead as the two teams played evenly throughout the entire match. Monmouth raced out to an 11-4 lead in the initial game but Loras rallied to within one point at 12-11. A crucial block by senior Lynn Utter (Monmouth,IL/HS) made it 13-11 and a kill by freshman Cathie Osborn (Hartsburg,IL/Hartsburg-Emden) set up game point. A mishit by Loras gave the Scots the first game but the Duhawks came out storming in the second game.

Loras scored 11 of the first 16 points before an Utter kill stopped the run. However, the Duhawks rattled off another quick four points to take the game and stem the Fighting Scots= enthusiasm. Loras continued to keep the pressure on as they jumped to a 4-1 cushion in the third game, but the Scots responded with a big run to tie and then take the lead. A service ace by junior Michelle Kommer (Monticello,IL/HS) started the MC rally and the Scots stretched their advantage to 10-4 behind two kills and four service points by Osborn. Loras closed to 12-8 but Monmouth regained their poise and closed out the scoring on kills by Utter and Kommer.

The rollercoaster match continued as the Duhawks struck quick in the fourth game to take an early 7-2 lead. An Osborn kill stopped the run but Loras put together another string of six points for a commanding 13-4 advantage. Monmouth stopped two game points but finally gave up the winner to force a deciding fifth game.

Monmouth once again found the early momentum and broke a 5-5 tie with four straight points, highlighted by a key block by freshman Krista Shepherd (Knoxville,IL/HS) and another solid kill by Kommer. Shepherd had a serving string of four consecutive points and an Utter block gave the Scots a commanding 13-6 lead. The teams traded the next several points but Monmouth claimed the victory on their first shot at match point to the delight of the Fighting Scot fans.

Osborn and Utter led the Scots statistically with 13 and 12 kills, respectively. Utter had seven blocks and Shepherd added five. Sophomores Stacey Kreps (Champaign,IL/Central) and Cindy Erlandson (Kirkwood, IL/Yorkwood) split time at setter and each recorded 21 assists in the match.

Monmouth coach Mia Smith praised her front-liners in the victory. ALynn Utter played the best all-around game of her career and Cathie Osborn had her best defensive effort of the season,@ said Smith. AWendy Erlandson (Kirkwood,IL/Yorkwood) also had an outstanding game at the net, both offensively and defensively.@

The Scots will next hit the tournament trail as the women travel south to the Principia Tournament (Elsah,IL) this weekend and will participate at Clarke College (Dubuque,IA) the following weekend. The team=s next dual match will be against Midwest Conference rival Illinois College on October 8th at Glennie Gym.