Volleyball: Evans Powers WVU in Win

By Kelly Tuckwiller for WVUsports.com
October 10, 2010 03:31 PM

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.– Senior middle blocker Lauren Evans powered the West Virginia University volleyball team in their first BIG EAST victory at the Coliseum this season against USF.

Evans finished with 14 kills and six blocks, as the Mountaineers (13-8, 3-3 BIG EAST) defeated the Bulls (8-9, 4-2) in a 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-16) match.

“Our team came together and fought hard for the win today,” coach Jill Kramer says. “It’s important for us to protect our home court. Also, our fans were great and helped give us the extra push when we needed it.”

The Bulls started the match with four team blocks and 10 kills to take set one from the Mountaineers.

WVU returned in set two for an early 11-5 lead after two aces from junior outside hitter Kylie Armbruster and a kill from senior middle blocker Abby Norman. Norman went on to post five kills with a .833 hitting percentage as the Mountaineers won the set.

Set three started with a 6-1 USF lead, until WVU capitalized on the Bulls’ errors and Norman posted a pair of kills to tie the set at nine. Tied at 16, Armbruster recorded a kill to give the Mountaineers the momentum for a 9-0 run and the victory.

The Mountaineers jumped out first in set four with a block from Evans and junior outside hitter Michelle Kopecky. Teamwork then aided the Mountaineers to win as they posted 13 kills, as a service ace from junior outside hitter Serinna Russo ended the match.

Three Mountaineers earned double figures in kills including Evans, Norman (11) and Kopecky (11).

Junior setter Kari Post also had a good match with 43 assists and eight digs, while senior libero Bonnie West recorded 21 digs.

As a team, the Mountaineers finished the match with 11 blocks.

WVU returns to the Coliseum on Saturday, Oct. 16, with a 7 p.m. match against BIG EAST foe Pitt.

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