November 10, 2009

RedStorm women advance at MSC Tournament

Frankfort, Ky. --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm women's volleyball team, the No. 3 seed at the Mid-South Conference Tournament, advanced by ousting No. 6 seed Pikeville College in the first round in four sets on Tuesday afternoon, 23-25, 25-17, 26-24 and 25-12.

Rio Grande (18-18) has won five of its last six matches with the victory. 

Freshman outside hitter Whitney Smith (Albany, OH), the reigning Mid-South Conference hitter of the week, continued to pound the ball leading the RedStorm with 17 kills. She also tallied 22 digs for the match.

Junior middle blocker Rachel Walker (Ironton, OH) has stepped up her play recently and it continued with an 11 kill performance against Pikeville on Tuesday. She also had two solo blocks and three block assists. Junior middle hitter Kati Moore (Lancaster, OH) continues to improve and impress as well as she registered 11 kills, six digs, one solo block and three block assists.

Freshman middle hitter Erin Sherman (South Webster, OH), the MSC Freshman of the Year, added nine kills, one solo block, four block assists and three serve aces. Sophomore outside hitter Ashley Belknap (Pickerington, OH) was solid also with eight kills and five digs.

Junior libero Jacquie Whittle (Chillicothe, OH), who was won the MSC top libero honor in each of the last two weeks, matched Smith for team leadership in digs with 22. Sophomore defensive specialist Kristen Cassady (Logan, OH) came away with 14 digs. 

The setting duo of junior Ashley Bloom (Columbus, OH) and freshman Micah Motes (Chillicothe, OH) played well as they had 27 and 20 assists respectively. 

Rio defeated Pikeville College (7-21) three times this season and will now advance to face No. 2 seed Campbellsville in the semi-finals on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Rio feels as if it has some unfinished with the Tigers as Campbellsville won both matches this season against the RedStorm.