WMU News

Spikers win 11th straight

Nov. 3, 2000

KALAMAZOO -- WMU's volleyball Broncos took another big step toward home court advantage in the MAC Tournament with a 3-0 sweep of Central Michigan on Friday night (Nov. 3) in University Arena. The match was played in front of a season-high 1,083 fans.

With the victory, the Broncos improved to 17-5 overall, 12-1 in the Mid-American Conference, and clinched a berth in the 2000 MAC Tournament.

The top eight teams in the conference qualify for the tournament, and the top four host the quarterfinal round on Nov. 21. Western could lock up a home date in the quarterfinals as early as this weekend, depending on match results throughout the league.

Central Michigan fell to 8-5 in the conference, but remains in fifth place and in contention for a home berth in the tournament quarterfinals.

WMU has won 11 straight matches and has swept its past five opponents. The Broncos have also won eight consecutive MAC matches in University Arena extending back to November 1999.

In other conference action Friday night, Ball State defeated Eastern Michigan, 3-0. The Cardinals improved to 13-1 in the conference, one-half game ahead of WMU for the league's best record. WMU hosts Ball State on Friday, Nov. 17.

Versus Central Michigan, WMU won 15-11, 15-10 and 15-9, but Central threatened in each of the three games. The Broncos led 10-6 in the first game, but the Chippewas rallied to take an 11-10 lead before WMU closed out the first set. Western Michigan was also the first team to 10 points in games two and three, but had to rally from an 8-4 deficit in the third game.

Junior middle blocker Zakiya Pope led all players with 15 kills and a .538 hitting percentage. She also contributed three blocks for the Broncos, who continued their blocking frenzy with a 21-15 advantage in total blocks.

For the ninth time this season, sophomore Angela Sillmon led "The Great Wall," with a match-high six blocks. Sillmon has carded six or more blocks in four matches and is one of the reasons WMU leads the conference in blocking.

Senior Monyka Paul had a double-double with 10 digs to match her 10 kills. She also had five blocks and one service ace. Classmate Alberta Griffin had 11 kills on a match-high 37 attempts, eight digs, and three blocks, including two solo blocks.

Junior M'Myia McQuirter had one of her best nights of the season with 13 kills and a .429 hitting percentage. Sophomore defensive specialist Cindy Kizer contributed 10 digs to the Bronco defense. Setter Ashley Ritter had 50 assists (16.67 apg), six kills, seven digs and two blocks.

The Broncos host Eastern Michigan on Saturday night, Nov. 4, with first serve at 7 p.m. in University Arena.


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