Volleyball Broncos win eighth straight
Oct. 21, 2000
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University's volleyball team swept Akron, 3-0, on Saturday (Oct. 21) before an enthusiastic crowd on 803 fans at University Arena. The match featured the introduction of approximately two dozen former volleyball players from teams dating back to the 1960s during Volleyball Alumnae Night.
The match was the second of two 3-0 victories for the Broncos during WMU Homecoming weekend. Western Michigan defeated Toledo [match summary] on Friday (Oct. 20).
The Bronco victories, coupled with a 3-2 loss by previously unbeaten Ball State at Northern Illinois on Friday, left both teams with 9-1 records in the Mid-American Conference and tied for first place in the league. WMU is 14-5 overall and has won eight straight. The Broncos are also 8-0 in matches played in University Arena on Homecoming weekend since 1996.
Trailing 12-7 in game 3 of Saturday's contest, the Broncos scored eight consecutive points on serves by senior outside hitter Alberta Griffin. WMU won 15-12, 15-9, 15-12.
Griffin, who also closed out Friday's match with Toledo on a string of successful serves, contributed eight kills and eight digs in Saturday's win.
Senior Monyka Paul had a double-double with 14 kills and 13 digs. She hit .262 for the match and also contributed two block assists. Junior Zakiya Pope was the only other Bronco in double figures for kills, with 11.
Sophomore setter Ashley Ritter had her second straight solid performance with 39 assists, seven digs, five blocks, four kills and a match-high .273 hitting percentage. Classmate Angela Sillmon led all players with nine blocks, including one solo. For the third consecutive match, Western Michigan out-blocked its opponent, this time by a 17-5 margin in total blocks.
Defensive specialists Kelly Kuharski and Cindy Kizer added eight and five digs, respectively, to the Bronco team total of 49.
WMU's next action is at home on Friday, Oct. 27, versus Buffalo. The match begins at 7 p.m. in University Arena. WMU is undefeated, 3-0, versus Buffalo, which joined the MAC in 1998.
For more information, visit the Broncos on the Web <www.wmubroncos.com>.
Media contact: Geoff Brown; 616 387-4138; geoffrey.brown@wmich.edu