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Nov. 7, 2009 – On senior night in Pershing Arena, it was the three seniors that stole the show as the 19th-ranked Truman volleyball team picked up a key 3-1 (-18, 28-26, 21-25, -16) MIAA and regional win against No. 20 Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday evening in Pershing Arena.
Lauren Graybeal tied for the match-high with 16 kills and totaled 18 points (one solo block, two block assists), Erin Hattey put away 12 kills, and Krysta Tholen picked up a double-double with 19 assists and 16 digs for the Bulldogs – who moved to 23-11 overall (11-7 MIAA) on the season with two matches to play.
The Bulldog defense stymied UNO’s attack all night, holding the visiting Mavs (20-12, 10-9 MIAA) to just an .043 hitting percentage with two sets in the negatives. Truman took advantage in those frames, cruising to a seven-point first set win when UNO hit -.047 and a nine-point fourth set victory after UNO hit -.143.
In between, the two squads picked up a split, with Truman logging a critical 28-26 decision in set number two. The frame featured 16 tie scores and nine lead changes, but three straight Bulldog points on UNO miscues helped end the set and allow the home squad to take a 2-0 advantage into the intermission.
Joining Graybeal and Hattey in double-figure points were Molly Sinclair (11.5) and Megan Sharpe (11), while five different ’Dogs picked up double-figure digs. Libero Casey Bruno led the way with 24, Allison Barker added 15, Sinclair finished with 14, while Ashley Petak (22 assists, 17 digs) joined Tholen with a double-double.
The Bulldogs were able to overcome its worst serving night of the season, as the purple and white dealt just two aces but committed 14 service errors. Truman out-blocked the Mavs, 8-4, and dug nine extra attacks.
Ellen Thommes led all UNO players with 16 kills, while Emily Meyers chipped in a double-double with 31 assists and 10 digs. Libero Angie Reicks was one of four Mavs with ten or more digs, finishing with a match-high 28.
The Bulldogs completed a season-sweep of UNO, a squad ranked sixth behind Truman’s fifth-place spot in the most recent regional rankings. Truman finishes the regular season next weekend with matches at Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western on Friday and Saturday.
Additional Notes:
· Ashley Petak picked up her 36th career double-double, while Krysta Tholen recorded her third.
· The 16 digs for Tholen marked a new career-high.
· The Bulldogs moved to 13-0 this season when opponents hit below .149.
· Truman also moved to 13-2 on the year when leading a set 2-0 and 8-2 in sets that went to extra points.
· Lauren Graybeal’s 16 kills marked the 15th time this season she has recorded 10+ kills.