HELLO NEWMAN: LINDENWOOD UPENDS JETS IN POOL PLAY
4/20/2006 7:00:00 AM | General
Box Score
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- The NAIA's No. 1-ranked and top-seed Lindenwood (Mo.) had 5 players in double-figures Thursday as the Lions raced past sixth-seed Newman (Kan.) 30-22, 30-24, 27-30, 30-25 in pool play action at the 2006 NAIA Men's Volleyball National Invitational Tournament.
The win makes the Lions 1-0 in Pool A and gives them a leg-up, needing just one win to advance to tomorrow's semifinals. Newman (0-1) needs to beat third-seed Missouri Baptist tomorrow night to have a chance.
Joe Deimeke and Kevin McLear each had 13 kills apiece to lead Lindenwood.
“This was a pretty typical match for us,” said Lindenwood head coach Ron Young. “We rely on our balance. We had a hard time stopping Smith when they moved him to opposite. We definitely need to pick up our enthusiasm as we continue in this tournament.”
Paul Sanderson led Newman with 17 kills.
The Lions, who hit .357 (63-17-129), stormed out of the gate, taking a quick 10-3 lead in the opening game. Devin Shiroma, who had 11 kills, got 2 of them in the opening run. Robin Parker served back-to-back aces to get the Jets within 15-12, but then 3 straight Newman errors pushed Lindenwood's lead back up to 19-12.
Newman hung around all throughout the second game, and Lance Pulliam tied the game at 21-21 with a kill. However, an attack error by Parker and an ace by Jared Krieinkamp gave the Lions a 23-21 lead they didn't relinquish. The Lions outscored the Jets, 9-3, in the end and benefited again from a pair of Newman attack errors for the final 2 points.
Lindenwood opened a 7-4 lead in the third game when Newman went on a 12-4 spurt to take a 16-11 lead. The Lions battled back to take an 18-17 lead, getting the last 3 points on consecutive attack errors. However, Ron Smith, who finished with 16 kills, put down a kill for the first of 3 straight Newman points that gave them the lead for good.
Game 4 was tied 5-5 when Ryan Nicklas and Deimeke had back-to-back kills to give Lindenwood the lead for good at 7-5. The Lions opened a 14-10 lead and then led 23-18 before coasting in to clinch the match.
Nicklas added 11 kills and a match-high 8 blocks. Krieinkamp added 10 kills, 5 blocks and 4 digs. Deimeke had 10 digs and a pair of aces to go with his 13 kills.
Parker and Smith both finished with 16 kills for Newman.
