Box Score EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Valparaiso used all 16 of its players Monday in a three-set victory over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville volleyball.
The Crusaders marked win No. 20 at the Vadalabene Center with a 25-23, 25-20, 25-18 win over the Cougars, which dropped to 12-11. Valparaiso stands at 20-5 overall.
SIUE now has one more home match left on the 2010 schedule. Thursday's rematch with Murray State is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and precedes SIUE's "Haunted House of Hoops" that introduces the 2010-2011 men's and women's basketball team.
On Monday, SIUE's Sydney Winslow led all players with 10 kills. Julia Whitfield added nine for SIUE.
"I thought we played well," said SIUE Head Coach Todd Gober. "Our team is making strides and can play with a team like that."
The Cougars out-blocked the Crusaders 7-5 behind four blocks from Jessica Hemann and three each from Kelsey Augustine and Winslow.
Valparaiso was strong on defense with 54 digs, including 15 from libero Taylor Root. "Their libero was an impact player tonight," said Gober.
The Crusaders picked up a team-leading eight kills from Tara Diebler. Eleven different players recorded a kill for Valparaiso, a member of the Horizon League.
It came down to momentum in the match. There were 11 tie scores and four lead changes in the opening set. SIUE was even with Valparaiso 21-21 in the first set but gave up back-to-back kills to Diebler and Jenny Pokorny. Valpo would hold on with a kill from Sarah Dooms on set point.
SIUE would have seven tie scores and three lead changes in the second set. Tied 18-18 in the set, the Crusaders would win seven of the next nine points to pull away.
Valparaiso went to its bench in the third set, including four kills from Mary Dent.
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