Lady
Blues win three matches in UWF Invite
Aug. 27, 2001
The Washburn University volleyball team opened its 2001 season with
a pair of victories at the West Florida Argonaut Invitational in Pensacola,
Fla. With the start, Washburn began the season with two victories for
the first time since 1990.
The Lady Blues opened the tournament with a 3-1 (30-27, 30-28, 25-30,
30-25) victory over the Minnesota State Mavericks Friday morning; then
followed with 3-1 (30-27, 30-27, 23-30, 30-20) victory over Nova Southeastern.
Sophomore Susan Crooks (Silver Lake) led the way for the Lady Blues
in the first match with 18 kills, while returning all-MIAA first team
middle hitter Jill Gassen (Higginsville, Mo.) connected on 13 kills
and hit .393 for the match. Junior setter Lindsey Kersting (Topeka-Shawnee
Heights) dished out 43 assists and led the team with 10 digs.
In the second match Crooks and Gassen each tallied 15 kills. Crooks
also recorded a team-high 14 digs against the Knights, while Kersting
added 49 assists in the victory.
On the second day of action Washburn topped Fort Lewis 3-0 (30-23,
30-27, 30-28),before falling to Arkansas Tech 3-2 (30-23, 30-23, 23-30,
27-30, 15-12). Arkansas Tech, which finished 2000 ranked fourth in the
South Central Region secured the victory after a furious Washburn comeback.
In the Fort Lewis match, Crooks tallied 13 kills and 12 digs, while
Kersting dished out 37 assists and had a team-high 14 digs. Sandi Mullikin
added a career-high 12 digs for the Lady Blues,
In the Arkansas Tech match, Crooks and Gassen each tallied 16 kills, while Crooksadded a team-high 16 digs. Kersting dished out 48 assists and had 15 digs and was named to the all-tournament team.