WMU News

Michigan State highlights big volleyball weekend

Sept. 16, 1999

KALAMAZOO -- The WMU volleyball team (5-2) hosts the Ameritech Invitational this weekend (Sept. 17-18) at University Arena. Highlights of the tournament include a "Meet the Team" reception following WMU's Friday night contest versus DePaul, and a Saturday night match versus Michigan State.

The first 300 fans to arrive for the Friday and Saturday night contests will receive a free souvenir t-shirt. Both matches begin at 7:30 p.m.

Everyone who attends the Friday night match versus DePaul is invited to the annual "Meet the Team" reception in University Arena, immediately following the match. Refreshments will be served.

Friday, Sept. 17: WMU vs. Loyola, 9:30 a.m.; DePaul vs. Michigan State, 11:30 a.m.; Niagara vs. Loyola, 1:30 p.m.; WMU vs. DePaul, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 18: DePaul vs. Niagara, 9:30 a.m.; Michigan State vs. Loyola, 11:30 a.m.; WMU vs. Niagara, 1:30 p.m.; DePaul vs. Loyola, 4:30 p.m.; WMU vs. Michigan State, 7:30 p.m.

All tournament contests will be played in University Arena.

WMU wins Bronco SpikeTacular

On Friday (Sept. 10), WMU defeated Central Connecticut, 3-0 (15-3, 15-4, 15-1), in the team's season home opener. Senior middle blocker Traci Morin led all players with 13 kills. She added four blocks, three digs, one service ace, and had a staggering .867 (13-0-15) attack percentage. As a team, the Broncos hit .600 and held Central Connecticut to .000 hitting.

On Saturday morning, WMU defeated Army, 3-0 (15-3, 15-7, 15-5). Morin again led all players in blocks (4) and kills (12) and hit. 647 for the match. Junior outside hitter Monyka Paul added six kills and had a .556 attack percentage.

The Broncos wrapped up the tournament with a 3-0 win over Illinois Chicago (15-11, 15-9, 15-8) on Saturday afternoon. Senior outside hitter Mandy Whitfield led the Broncos with 16 kills and recorded the season's first double-double with a match-high 19 digs.

For the three-match tournament, Morin had 37 kills and a .557 attack percentage. Whitfield had 31 kills (.266), Paul had 21 (.474), and sophomore Zakiya Pope had 17 kills (.355). Setter Jen Nowak added 12 kills (.414) and assisted her teammates 95 times in eight games played for an 11.9 assists-per-game average. Whitfield led all Broncos with 24 digs. Defensive specialist Kelly Kuharski had 22 digs, and freshman Cindy Kiser added 15.

Media contact: Geoff Brown; 616 387-4138; geoffrey.brown@wmich.edu


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