Volleyball Broncos even record
Sept. 8, 2000
CINCINNATI -- WMU's volleyball team improved to 2-2 on the young season with a 3-1 victory over Virginia in the opening contest of the Xavier University tournament, Friday (Sept. 8) in Cincinnati. The match was the first athletic competition of any kind at Xavier's new Cintas Center.
After struggling to a disappointing 1-2 record at the Purdue Invitational (Sept. 1-2), the Broncos blasted Virginia in the first game of the Xavier tourney. Virginia avoided a sweep by winning the second game in extra points, 16-14. WMU won each of the other three games by eight points or more (15-6, 14-16, 15-7, 15-4).
Senior Alberta Griffin, the only Bronco named to the all-tournament team at Purdue, led Western Michigan in the win over UVA with a team-high 21 kills, a .385 attack percentage and 13 digs. Senior outside hitter Monyka Paul also carded a double-double with 16 kills and 11 digs.
Sparking the Bronco offense was sophomore setter Ashley Ritter, who had 64 assists (16 apg), helped four of her teammates score in double figures and contributed seven kills of her own. As a team, the Broncos hit .274 for the match.
Junior middle blocker Zakiya Pope made 12 kills (.333) and eight digs. Classmate Myia McQuirter, an outside hitter, contributed 15 kills (.333).
Sophomore defensive specialist Cindy Kizer made a career-high 14 digs.
The Broncos continue action in Cincinnati on Saturday (Sept. 9) with a 10:30 a.m. match versus host Xavier and a 6 p.m. contest against Middle Tennessee. The Broncos are home Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15-16, when they host Liberty, Big East power Connecticut, and No. 18-ranked Ohio State at the Ameritech Invitational in University Arena.
For more information, visit the Broncos on the Web at <wmubroncos.com>.
Media contact: Geoff Brown; 616 387-4138; geoffrey.brown@wmich.edu