WMU News

Broncos sweep two MAC rivals

Sept. 30, 2000

Ypsilanti, Mich. -- WMU's volleyball team improved to 8-5 overall and 3-1 in the Mid-American Conference with impressive 3-0 wins at Akron and Eastern Michigan on Friday and Saturday (Sept. 29-30).

The Broncos won 15-3, 15-10, 15-11 at Akron. In 1999, Akron was the only MAC team to defeat WMU on the Broncos' home court. That loss was also the first blemish on a previously perfect, 13-0, conference record for WMU.

WMU is 8-3 in its past 11 matches. On consecutive weekends, the Broncos have defeated Miami and Akron, preseason picks to finish first and second, respectively, in the MAC East Division. WMU won both contests on the road in straight sets, 3-0.

At Eastern Michigan on Saturday night, the Broncos jumped out to early leads in each of the three games, 7-1, 8-1 and 5-0, held off brief rallies by the Eagles, and won 15-7, 15-8, 15-4.

Western Michigan returns to University Arena for its MAC home opener versus Bowling Green on Friday, Oct. 6. The Broncos also host Kent State on Saturday, Oct. 7. Game time for both matches is 7 p.m.

WMU vs Eastern Michigan, Sept. 30

WMU's volleyball Broncos won 15-7, 15-8, 15-4 at Eastern Michigan on Saturday (Sept. 30)

Junior outside hitter M'Miya McQuirter was the only Bronco with double-figure kills in the match. She had 12 kills with no errors in 24 attempts for a .500 hitting percentage. Middle blocker Zakiya Pope hit .417 (7-2-12) and contributed seven kills. Monyka Paul had nine kills and hit .250.

Sophomore setter Ashley Ritter had 36 assists, made seven kills, tied for a team-high eight digs, and tied for a team-high four blocks.

Seniors Alberta Griffin and Kelly Kuharski also had eight digs for the defense. Pope and Angela Sillmon also contributed four blocks. Kuharski scored twice on service aces.

WMU had a .319 team hitting percentage and held Eastern Michigan to just .126 hitting. Both teams had 46 digs in the contest. The Broncos out-blocked the Eagles, 8 to 5.

WMU vs Akron, Sept. 29

WMU's volleyball Broncos won 15-3, 15-10, 15-11 at Akron on Friday (Sept. 29).

"I was very pleased with our effort," said coach Cathy George. "Our defensive discipline really dictated the momentum of the match."

Senior outside hitter Monyka Paul led the Broncos with 12 kills, and senior defensive specialist Kelly Kuharski led the team with a staggering 17 digs. Paul committed only two errors in 26 attempts (12-2-26) for a .385 hitting percentage.

Middle blocker Zakiya Pope and outside hitter M'Myia McQuirter, the team's only two juniors, each contributed 11 kills. Pope hit a respectable .304 (11-4-23) for the match, but below her season average of better than .360. Alberta Griffin and Angela Sillmon each had six kills. Sillmon led the Broncos with four blocks, including two solo blocks. Pope had four block assists.

Setter Jen Nowak had 28 assists in two games played, made four kills on five attempts, and added two digs and a service ace. Setter Ashley Ritter had 15 assists over two games played, made four kills on six attempts, and added five digs and two block assists to the Bronco defensive effort.

In addition to Kuharski's match-high 17 digs, sophomore defensive specialist Cindy Kizer had 14 digs, Paul dug 11 balls for the double-double, and Griffin added 10 digs.

For more information, visit the Broncos on the Web <www.wmubroncos.com>.

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


Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
616 387-8400
univ-rel@wmich.edu

http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news