WHY WEAMER, WHY?

Friday, November 17

Fresno, Calif.

4 p.m.

California Baptist University

Concordia

11/17/2006 8:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

FRESNO, Calif. --- For the second time in less than a month, the Lancers faced Concordia. And, for the second time in a month, All-GSAC selection Traci Weamer was impressive.

The sophomore hitter collected 18 kills and made only 5 errors in 41 swings (.317) as the Eagles held on for the, 30-23, 30-27, 20-30, 30-26, win in the NAIA Region II semifinals.

The Eagles (27-3) advance to tomorrow night's final with the winner of tonight's bout between Azusa Pacific and Fresno Pacific. The Lancers, meanwhile, are knocked out of the regional tournament with the loss, but are still likely to earn an at-large berth to the NAIA National Tournament, Nov. 29-Dec. 2 in Columbia, Missouri.

Weamer rocked a pair of consecutive kills in the fourth set to bolster Concordia's lead to 18-12, as the Eagles closed out California Baptist.

The Lancers responded shortly thereafter, however, as Shi Fei smacked a kill that set her team on a 4-0 run, concluding with an ace from Yudelka Bonilla, to bring the deficit to 19-16.

Verania Willis closed the gap to just 22-20 with back-to-back kills, and the Lancers fell no more than 3 points off the pace until Concordia scored 3 points in a row to bring the contest to match-point at 29-24. Fei's 18th kill of the evening eventually forced the set into 2 more points, but Concordia held on for the decisive, 30-26, win.

With their backs to the wall in game 3, the Lancers picked up timely, 30-20, win to force a fourth set. The Lancers led 20-12 after Verania Willis notched a kill, and Shi Fei and Angela Willis paired up on a block that made the score 25-16 in favor of California Baptist.

Verania Willis led the field with 20 kills, while Fei complimented her with 18.

Lindsey Campbell, also an All-GSAC selection, posted half of her match-high 8 blocks in game 2, as the Eagles held a 30-27 win.

In the opening set, Weamer socked 3 kills in the space of 4 points as the Eagles came back to take the lead for keeps at 12-11. The Lancers brought the score to within 3, at 25-22, after a kill from Rachel Gowen but Concordia surged from that point, taking 5 of the 6 remaining points for the 30-23 game-one win.

Ashley Robbins finished the opener with 6 kills on 8 errorless swings for Concordia, which outhit California Baptist, .593 (17-1-27) to .289 (17-6-38).