California Baptist University
Indiana Tech
FEI-TAL KILL
12/2/2008 8:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
SIOUX CITY, Iowa ? California Baptist may have had to scrap for just about every point, but came up on the right side of a 3-0 (25-21, 32-30, 25-22) win against No. 18 Indiana Tech in the opening day of NAIA National Tournament.
It's the fifth straight year that the Lancers (25-8) have won their opening match of the national tournament and the fourth time in five years CBU has swept the opening match. The only time CBU didn't grab a 3-0 sweep was in the 2005 tournament when the Lancers downed Doane (Neb.), 3-1.
Fei Shi led the way for California Baptist with 14 kills and 16 digs, notching her 10th double-double of the year. Shi also served up three aces. Colleen Sweeney ripped eight kills while Jessica Kalama had six.
“There was no doubt that Fei carried us today,” said CBU head coach Ryan McGuyre. “Indiana Tech was a scrappy team and covered the floor well. We just needed to compete a little more and I think it would have been a little better of a match.”
Bree Rauschenbach matched Shi on aces and posted six blocks on the night as well. Krista Hasemeyer dished out a team-high 22 assists while Mical Bell was close behind with 18. Katrina Clark also recorded a team-high 18 digs.
“Bree came up clutch for us as well,” said McGuyre. “She came up with some key blocks and served well. Kari (Oliver) also was huge with her serves. We got what we needed to get through and we got this first match behind us.”
Despite getting out hit (.214-.184), out dug (71-56) and matched on blocks at eight, it was the service game that sealed for CBU. The Lancers notched a .667 service percentage compared to Indiana Tech's .167. and served 10 aces to the Warriors' one.
The Lancers will now take on College of Idaho tomorrow at 1:15 p.m. (CST) after the Yotes fell 3-1 to No. 6 Georgetown (Ky.).
