Defending Champs Open NCAA’s with Win
UW-Whitewater Weathers Strong Cal Lutheran Start
Box Score

November 16, 2006

SALEM, Va.- The 2006 NCAA National Volleyball Championship began with a high air of anticipation given the two opponents in its opening match.  California Lutheran University seemed on track to continue its recent history of tournament upsets in the early going, but last year’s national champion, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, quickly turned the table and road the change of momentum to a 3-0 (32-30, 30-21, 30-22) match victory.

Having already trumped La Verne University in a regional play and denying the Leopards a return trip to Salem, Cal Lutheran had its crowd on its feet with an early 10-5 advantage.  The Regals maintained the edge through much of the first game including a 28-24 late lead before the match’s direction quickly shifted.  The Warhawks used some good hitting and a few Regal errors to send the game to extra points before pulling out the first game victory.

“The key to winning was never giving up and always hanging in their,” explained UWW head coach Stacy Boudreau.  “We knew we could bring more to our game.”

Carley Polk, American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Second Team All-American, and junior Abby Schultz led the team in kills and really worked Regals’ libero, Jessica Hagerty, with a total of 25 kills between them.  The impressive hitting of the Warhawks was set up by 40 assists from setter Kate Lazotte. 

Cal-Lutheran’s Mo Coverdale, an AVCA First Team All-American, did not disappoint in today’s performance with 17 kills.  Sophomore Summer Plante-Newman added 14 digs and five kills along the wing to counter Coverdale’s middle efforts.

Following the first game victory, UW-Whitewater took complete control of the second game.  The Warhawks found themselves with a 14-7 lead midway through and never looked back.  The game’s final score was 30-21 with Lazotte serving the final point. 

In the final game, the Regals found themselves battling for a second chance when the score was tied 7-7 after a kill by Coverdale and again at 21-21after an attack error by UW-Whitewater.  The Warhawks earned the side out and recaptured the lead behind the service of freshmen Kelly Sorensen and Kristina Conlin to seal the game and the match.

“We didn’t play at our level today,” added Coach Boudreau.  “And in order to win, we are going to have to pick up our game.”

Cal-Lutheran finishes the season with an 18-6 record.  UW-Whitewater advances to the semi-final match against the winner of Washington University-St. Louis and Stevens Institute of Technology.  That match is set for 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 17.

For more information on the tournament, its teams, and match specifics, please visit the online home of the tournament at http://odac.bridgewater.edu/ncaa_vball/.