Oct. 15, 2002
Bowling Green, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University volleyball team secured its third straight 20-win season with a 3-0 win over Lipscomb Tuesday night at the Preston Center.
The Lady Toppers (20-4) never trailed in the first two games, jumping out to an early 5-1 lead in the opener. The Bisons (3-15) pulled within a point at 5-4 on a Jennifer Partezana block, but Western stayed in front and went up by seven when a kill from Crystal Towler (Fr., Sussex, Wis.) made it 19-12. Lipscomb was able to get back within six at 22-16, but the Lady Toppers scored the next eight points, ending the game on back-to-back Towler service aces to win 30-16.
WKU scored the first six points of game two, thanks mostly to three kills by Amanda Schiff (So., Indianapolis, Ind.). The Bisons never recovered as Western stretched the lead to ten (20-10) on a kill from Amanda Cecil (So., Louisville, Ky.). The Lady Toppers held Lipscomb to just two points the rest of the game, cruising to a 30-12 victory.
Lipscomb refused to go quietly in game three, taking an early 5-4 lead before WKU went on a 6-2 run to open up a 12-8 lead on a kill from Erica Ringger (So., Ft. Wayne, Ind.). Lipscomb held close, getting within 14-10, but again Western pulled ahead, using a 9-4 run to take a 23-14 lead on a block assist from Schiff and Cecil. WKU never looked back from there, taking game three 30-20 to win the match 3-0
Towler led the Lady Toppers with 16 kills and a .619 hitting percentage. Schiff finished with 14 kills, while Cecil chipped in with 10. Tracy May (Jr., Louisville, Ky.) finished with a match-high 18 digs, while Ringger set a new career best with 34 assists.
WKU returns to Sun Belt action on Friday when it travels to Las Cruces, N.M. to face off with SBC West Division leader New Mexico State. Both clubs enter the match unbeaten in league play.
- WKU -
