California Baptist University
Lubbock Christian University (Texas)
A SHI THING
12/5/2008 8:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
SIOUX CITY, Iowa ? California Baptist almost lulled themselves to sleep until the final set as the Lancers routed Lubbock Christian (Texas) 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 32-30).
The Lancers (28-8) tore through the first two sets in impressive fashion and seemingly looked to be on their way to putting the third set away leading 14-8, but the Chaparrals used a 12-6 run to tie it at 20-20 and eventually took their first lead of the match at 22-21. Trailing 23-21, the Lancers got a kill from Fei Shi and two straight kills from Noelle Dyk to set up match-point for CBU before LCU tied it at 24.
After five ties, with the final one coming at 30-30, Dyk closed it out with a pair of kills and sealed the Lancers fifth straight trip to the NAIA National Tournament semifinals. CBU is the only team in the NAIA to reach the semifinals in each of the last five years.
“We came out strong and were in rhythm today,” said CBU head coach Ryan McGuyre. “We started strong in the third set but LCU played well and just didn't die. We were surprised that it was our service game that was a little off in that set. We missed a few late, but got it going in the end. We wanted to defend well and then counter them on offense because didn't want to turn into a tip game because they are so tough on defense. LCU is the type of team that if you throw them a bone, they might dig up something and take advantage of mistakes because they thrive off of emotion.”
Shi and Dyk led the way for the Lancers as Shi ripped a match-high 19 kills and with 13 digs she recorded her fourth straight double-double this tournament and the fifth straight this year. That is the longest streak this year for the junior. Shi also had four of the Lancers' eight aces.
Dyk hit .324 with 16 kills and posted five digs. Colleen Sweeney put down 11 kills for her third straight match in double figures. Mical Bell dished out a match-high 31 assists while Krista Hasemeyer had 17. Katrina Clark also posted 20 digs.
“Fei has been phenomenal this whole tournament and she has strengthened her game up here,” said McGuyre. “Colleen came up big for us again. For her to have no errors was great for us. Noelle was absolute clutch in the end again. She came up with big points in every key moment. Kari also may have had two of the biggest digs in that last set.”
The Lancers hit .313 (57-15-134) for the match and posted 52 digs and five blocks.
The Lancers will now play the defending national champion and top-ranked Fresno Pacific, Saturday, at 9:30 a.m. It is a rematch of last year's national championship game that the Sunbirds took in four sets. The Lancers were swept both times this year by FPU, but CBU is 11-0 this year on a neutral court.
“From the start of the year I wanted to be in the top four, so we are where we expected to be,” said McGuyre. “Right now I am content. It will take something special in the semifinals, but it's not out of the question.”
