Lady Blues capture Mount Olive Classic

Gassen named tournament MVP, Hanish all-tournament selection

Sept. 30, 2000

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – Washburn University, a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association from Topeka, Kan., was crowned champion of the 2000 Mount Olive Classic volleyball tournament Saturday after downing Shepherd (W.V.) College, 15-11, 15-13, 15-3, in the title game.

The Lady Blues, now 14-5, dominated the second annual event, winning all six of their matches over two days of play in straight sets. They were led in victory by Tournament MVP Jill Gassen, a junior from Higginsville, Mo., and All-Tournament selection Becky Hanish, a senior from Topeka.

"I feel like we played really well. We were enthusiastic the whole tournament," Washburn coach Allison Jones said. "The girls really communicated well with each other."

Washburn reached the championship game by downing Fayetteville State, 15-1, 15-5, 15-8, in round one and St. Augustine’s, 15-6, 15-3, 15-6, in the semifinals. Shepherd advanced by beating Shaw, 15-12, 15-7, 15-12, in the day’s first match and Converse, 15-7, 15-7, 15-8, in round two.

Gassen and Crystal Walker each had 12 kills for Washburn in the title game, while Hanish added nine kills and three aces and Lindsey Kersting chipped in 42 assists.