Shepard has 20-kill match in battle of twins as Lady Blues defeat ESU
Sept. 20, 2006

Box Score | Season Statistics

Freshman outside hitter Ashley Shepard had a 20-kill match to nearly double the total of her twin sister as the Lady Blues defeated Emporia State 3-1 Wednesday night in Emporia. No. 8 Washburn won its eighth straight match and started the MIAA season at 4-0 for just the second time in school history. The Lady Blues will face Northwest Missouri State Saturday at 5 p.m. in a non-conference match at Lee Arena.

In four closely fought games, the Lady Blues (15-2, 4-0 MIAA) held on for a 30-26, 26-30, 30-24, 30-25 win. The Lady Blues are the leaders in the MIAA West Division and share the MIAA’s top record with East leader Truman.

Shepard faced off against her twin, ESU freshman outside hitter Arica Shepard, and had one of her strongest matches of the season. She reached the 20-kill mark for the second time this year, hit .341 and had four assisted blocks. Her sister had 11 kills but was held to .042 hitting after recording nine errors.

Junior rightside hitter Tessa Jones and junior middle hitter Mandi Cox also had double-digit kills for the Lady Blues and Cox had eight blocks to lead the team. Freshman setter Kate Hampson had her second double-double with 53 assists and 18 digs. Junior libero Erica Cowhick led the team with 30 digs and senior rightside hitter Valerie Peterson and junior outside hitter Bailey Saal each had 10 digs.

The Lady Blues hit .204 as a team, out hitting their opponent for the first time in four matches, and they out blocked the Hornets 15-8.

In Game 1 the Lady Blues fell behind early, 5-2, but then a kill from Cox tied the score at 6-6. After another tie at 7, Washburn went ahead and didn’t look back in the game. In Game 2 there were 11 ties and five lead changes. Emporia State (8-8, 2-2 MIAA) took the lead at 25-24 and then held on to win.

Game 3 went to Washburn as it was played back and forth again and then the Lady Blues had no problem in the clinching game after fighting off an early ESU lead. Saal’s kill midway through the match made it 15-14 and then Washburn went on to win and take the match and its fourth straight victory against the Hornets.

Washburn’s only other 4-0 MIAA start came in 1997. The Lady Blues will have a chance for their first 5-0 start September 29 when Truman comes to town.