Diplomats Survives LVC, 3-2 in Volleyball

by Sports Information
10/15/01

Annville Pa. – In women’s volleyball at Lebanon Valley College tonight, LVC lost in five games to Centennial Conference power, Franklin & Marshall College by scores of 30-26, 19-30, 19-30, 30-27, 9-15. The loss gives Valley its 10th loss of the season (16-10) and the win moves the Diplomats to 18-7 overall.

After losing the first game 30-26, the Diplomats took over and won two straight before committing 10 errors in the fourth game. Lebanon Valley took advantage and won the fourth contest 30-27 to force game five. In the final game, the Diplomats used a serious of three side-outs to gain momentum and win 15-9.

Lebanon Valley's backline led the way for the Flying Dutchwomen as junior Jennifer Heiland collected 13 digs. She also had six kills, two service aces and a solo block. Sophomore Sherri Pursel tallied 12 digs along with a team-high 14 kills.

Junior Steph George had seven kills and sophomore Jenn Hahn came on strong with 10 digs.

In a battle of setters, F&M's Jen Grue (So., Canton, PA/Canton) got the better of LVC's Kelly Kaufmann as the out-assisted the Dutchwoman 57-to-41.

Outside hitters Kristen Kowalski (Jr., York, PA/Central York) and Heidi Goedicke (Jr, Spring Church, PA/Elderton) knocked down 10 and 17 kills, respectively, as the Diplomats moved within two wins of their record-setting sixth straight 20 win season.

Historically, F&M's longest string of 20 win seasons is five set from 1990-1994 and again from 1996-2000. In 1995, the Diplomats recorded an 18-14 record to snap the string.

F&M will return to the court on Wednesday at Western Maryland College in a crucial Centennial Conference game. Due to a 3-0 loss by Gettysburg, F&M is now tied with the Bullets atop the CC standings and could win the #1 seed in the playoffs if they can survive matchups versus the Green Terror and Johns Hopkins on Wednesday and Saturday of this week. Game time in Westminster, Maryland is set for 7:00 p.m.

Box Score
F&M (18-7, 6-1 CC) 26 30 30 27 15
LVC (16-10) 30 19 19 30 9

Statistical Highlights
Karis Conner - 27 digs
Maureen Lafferty - 23 digs, 4 kills
Emily Green - 23 digs, 9 kills
Heidi Goedicke - 25 digs, 17 kills
Rose Hartmann - 9 kills
Liz Earll - 8 kills
Kristen Kowalski - 10 kills
Lynne Achenbach - 4 kills
Jen Grue - 57 assists, 19 digs