California Baptist University
The University of Virginia's College at Wise
EARLY RISERS
11/28/2007 8:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
COLUMBIA, Mo. ? Rachel Gowen had a match-high 10 kills and hit .444 (10-2-18) as the junior from Oregon City, Ore., led California Baptist to a 3-0 (30-10, 30-12, 30-28) win over Virginia-Wise at the opening day of the NAIA Volleyball National Championship. The Lancers (28-4) didn't waste anytime cruising through the first two games, while CBU's reserves finished the job in game three.
The early morning start for the first game of pool-play didn't affect the Lancers as CBU moved out quickly to an 8-0 lead in game one. Mical Bell served up three aces in the run. After the Lancers forced a Cavalier timeout, after they lead 23-6, CBU closed out the game with a 7-4 run. Much like game one CBU quickly moved to a large lead in game two (14-3). CBU led 21-12 before it closed out the game with a 9-0 run.
The Cavaliers started to make a run in the third game leading 19-15, but watched CBU tie the game at 19 as one of five ties in the final points of the match. CBU broke the final tie at 26 with a 3-0 run that included a Verania Willis ace.
Kayla Van Duyn, Courtney McGuire and Caitlin Parker all split setting duties as Van Duyn dished out 14 assists, while McGuire had 12 and Parker had 10. Katrina Clark had a match-high 14 digs. Mical Bell and Brittney Barton combined for seven aces as Bell had a match-high four aces while Barton had three.
CBU will return to action tonight at 6 p.m. against Texas-Brownsville.
