Oct. 29, 2002
Clarksville, Tenn. - The Western Kentucky University volleyball team extended its winning streak to 11 matches downing Austin Peay State University 31-29, 30-25, and 30-26 at Dave Aaron Arena Tuesday night in its final non-conference match of the regular season. The win raised WKU's season mark to 25-4.
The opening game of the match saw each team make a series of runs with the Lady Toppers having to rally from a 27-24 deficit late to win 31-29. Down by three, Western scored four straight points to take a 28-27 lead. Amanda Schiff (So., Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) began the decisive 7-2 run with a kill, followed by a touch shot from Crystal Towler (Fr., Sussex, Wis./Arrowhead). Amanda Cecil (So., Louisville, Ky./Assumption) tied the game at 27 with a kill off an over pass and gave WKU the lead with her second straight kill. Cecil gave Western its first game-point when she knocked down yet another Austin Peay pass that sailed over the net. After Peay tied the game at 29, WKU forced the Lady Govs into a pair of errors to win the game.
The second game was just as tight with the Lady Toppers trailing 22-21 before finishing the game with a 9-3 spurt -- including five straight to end the game. Freshman Jessie Wagner (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) keyed the charge with four kills and setter Sara Noe (Sr., Louisville, Ky./Sacred Heart) scored on a quick tip. After the Lady Govs called time out, Schiff put down another kill and Noe got a kill on an over pass.
In the final game, Western used an 11-5 run to break a 6-6 tie and take a 17-11 advantage. The Lady Toppers would let the hosts get no closer than three at 22-19 and 29-26. Schiff, who had 15 kills with no errors in 29 attempts in the match, closed out the match by combining with Erica Ringger (So., Fort Wayne, Ind./Leo) on a block.
Noe finished with a double-double with 28 assists and 13 digs, while Towler added 13 kills. Tracy May (Jr., Louisville, Ky./Assumption) had a match-high 21 kills. Ashly Miller (So., Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) added 17 digs and Cecil had 11.
The Lady Toppers return home Friday (Nov. 1) to host Sun Belt foe Florida International at 7 p.m. (CST) in the Preston Center.
