GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Katie Luebke
recorded 11 kills and eight digs to lead the Tusculum volleyball
team to a three-set sweep over visiting Mars Hill Tuesday night in
South Atlantic Conference action at Pioneer Arena. The Pioneers
(19-5, 7-2 SAC) record their seventh straight victory, while
clinching their third consecutive winning season.
TC setter Brittney Oblinger recorded 32 assists
and seven digs, while Heather MacArthur and
Gina Coffaro added seven kills each as the
Pioneers complete the season sweep over the Lions (7-12, 1-9
SAC).
Mars Hill's Jenna Luke tallied six kills, while
Jessica Britt and Sarah Paquette
added 11 and 10 assists, respectively. Kelly
Koziel led MHC's defensive efforts with a match-high 15
digs.
In the opening set with the score tied 16-16, MacArthur recorded
consecutive kills in a 3-0 spurt by the Pioneers to take a 19-16
advantage, en route to a 25-22 win in the first frame.
MHC jumped out to a 9-4 advantage in the second set with three
straight points on Lindsay Phillips' serve.
Following a TC timeout, the Pioneers responded later with a 12-4
run, including three straight points by Luebke. TC closed out the
frame with a 9-5 run with Luebke and MacArthur adding kills down
the stretch for the 25-19 decision.
The third frame saw Tusculum move out to a 13-4 lead, including
six consecutive points on Coffaro's serve as the Pioneers won the
final set 25-11.
Tusculum posted a .253 team hitting percentage on the night,
including a sterling .611 attack effort in the final set
(11-0-18).
Tuesday's match was also "Dig For the Cure" Night as the Pioneers
wore pink jerseys in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Tusculum players and staff took pledges and donations, which will
be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The
Pioneers recorded 42 digs on the night.
Tusculum returns to action this weekend with a pair of huge league
matches. TC will be at Newberry on Friday night for a 7 p.m. match,
followed by Saturday 5 p.m. contest at league leading Wingate. Mars
Hill will be at Wingate on Friday at 7 p.m., while traveling to
Newberry on Saturday for a 2 p.m. tilt.
- TC -
Tusculum def. Mars Hill
25-22,25-19,25-11
Mars Hill (7-12, 1-9 SAC) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
Jenna Luke 6-0-0;
Lindsay Phillips 4-0-0; Evie Tafunai 4-0-1; Danielle Mason
4-0-1;
Traci Teague 3-0-2; Doneisha Gartica 2-0-0; Brittany Enloe
2-0-2;
Totals 25-0-4.0. (Assists) - Jessica Britt 11; Sarah Paquette 10.
(Dig
leaders) - Kelly Koziel 15; Lindsay Phillips 7
Tusculum (19-5, 7-2 SAC) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
Katie Luebke 11-1-2;
Gina Coffaro 7-1-1; Heather MacArthur 7-1-3; Kelsey Hayden
6-0-4;
Brittney Oblinger 2-0-1; Carly Swisher 2-2-2; Megan England
1-0-0;
Totals 36-5-8.0. (Assists) - Brittney Oblinger 32. (Dig leaders)
-
Gina Coffaro 9; Katie Luebke 8
Site: Greeneville, Tenn. (Pioneer Arena)
Date: Oct 21, 2008 Attend: 111 Time: 1:12
Referees: Denise Penzkofer, Emily Zayatz