Aug. 20, 2000
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Juniors Jessica Willard and Tara Thomas went to Assumption High School in Louisville together, won Kentucky state titles together, and came to Western Kentucky together. So it's fitting that (together) the tandem led the way in the Lady Toppers' fourth preseason scrimmage Sunday afternoon at E.A. Diddle Arena.
Willard and Thomas each tallied 16 kills as the Red and White teams split two games. The Reds won the opener, 15-11, with the Whites taking the second frame, 15-9. Willard added a match-high seven blocks for her Red team, while Thomas rang up a team-high eight digs for the White side.
Freshman outside hitter Lyndsey Broerman continued her torrid play in the preseason, notching five kills, four blocks and a .412 hitting percentage for the Reds. Freshman defensive specialist Tracy May also continued to shine in the fall scrimmages, recording six kills, six digs and .333 hitting percentage for the White team. Senior defensive specialist Beaven Hill had a match-high nine digs for the Red squad.
Both Lady Topper setters turned in solid performances in Sunday's match. Freshman Erica Ringger posted 28 assists and seven digs, while sophomore Sara Noe dished out 26 assists and added two service aces and two blocks. For the fourth consecutive scrimmage, each player spent one game with each team.
With the start of classes on Monday morning, Western will begin practicing once a day from 3-5 p.m. at Diddle Arena. The Lady Toppers will hold their final preseason scrimmage against a group of WKU alumni Sunday afternoon, also at Diddle Arena. Western will open the 2000 season Sept. 2 at 9 a.m. (CDT) against Tennessee State at the IUPUI Invitational in Indianapolis. The Lady Toppers' home opener is slated for Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. against defending Conference USA tri-champion Cincinnati.
--WKU--
