October 30, 2009

Rio volleyball secures 3^rd in MSC with win at Pikeville

Pikeville, Ky. --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm volleyball team nailed down the No.3 spot in the Mid-South Conference with a win on the road at Pikeville College on Thursday night. Rio won in three sets, 25-7, 25-19 and 25-20.

Rio Grande (15-17, 9-5 MSC) had three players in double figures in kills, led by freshman middle hitter Erin Sherman (South Webster, OH) with 17. Sherman also topped the stat sheet with three solo blocks and one block assist. Fellow classmates Whitney Smith (Albany, OH) and Erin Moore (South Webster, OH) notched 12 kills each. The mark for Moore was a season and career high. Smith also recorded two solo blocks. 

Defensively, junior libero Jacquie Whittle (Chillicothe, OH) led the way with 30 digs. Smith followed up with 17 digs and freshman defensive specialist Kaci Shoemaker (Rio Grande, OH) tallied 10. Whittle had her jump serve working as he registered four serve aces on 13-for-13 serving. Sherman added three aces on 9-for-9 serving and Smith had a pair of aces, going 10-for-10 serving.

Freshman setter Micah Motes (Chillicothe, OH) handed out, a team-high, 25 assists and had one ace on 12-of-12 serving for the game. Junior setter Ashley Bloom (Columbus, OH) posted 19 assists. 

Rio Grande gained the season sweep of Pikeville College (4-20, 1-10) with the victory. Rio will be the No. 3 seed in the MSC Tournament. The RedStorm surpassed pre-season expectations as they were picked to finish sixth in a poll of the coaches prior to the season. 

Rio Grande will step out of conference next weekend to wrap up the regular season, traveling to Houghton (November 6) and Roberts Wesleyan (November 7) for a tri-match.