Oct. 3, 2009 – The Truman volleyball team split its matches in the final day of the 2009 Washburn Lady Blues Classic, dropping a 3-1 (-15, 21-25, -20, -14) decision to No. 6 West Texas A&M in the day’s opener before bouncing back for a 3-0 (-8, -19, -19) sweep of Southwestern Oklahoma State in the nightcap.
The Bulldogs improved from hitting .090 against the Lady Buffs to a .300 mark against SWOSU (4-21). Both junior Allison Barker (Racine, Wis.; Racine Lutheran) and freshman Emily Briseno (Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Lee’s Summit West) combined for 15 kills on the day, while freshman Megan Sharpe (Edwardsville, Ill.; Edwardsville) had the squad’s only double-digit kill-effort, with ten against 6th-ranked WTAMU (18-3).
16 different ’Dogs saw the floor in the second match of the day, with 11 recording at least one kill.
Defensively, freshman Heather Hargadine (Labadie, Mo.; St. Francis Borgia) posted back-to-back double-digit dig efforts, and Barker wrapped up the day’s team-high with 21 against the Lady Buffs. Sharpe (3 vs. WTAMU) and sophomore Erin Burmester (DeWitt, Iowa; DeWitt) (3 vs. SWOSU) garnered top blocking honors, while junior Ashley Petak’s (Omaha, Neb.; Bellevue West) 22 and 21 assists were a team-best.
Truman (15-7, 3-3 MIAA) will return to conference play for the remainder of the regular season, starting on Wednesday night against No. 5 Central Missouri in Pershing Arena. The match has will be this year’s “Dig Pink” night, as a silent auction will be featured to help raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Awareness. All fans are encouraged to wear pink.