For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

September 20, 2008

Eureka splits SLIAC matches against Westminster, Maryville

Westminster Boxscore

Maryville Boxscore

The Eureka volleyball team completed a season series sweep of Westminster College, dropping the Blue Jays for the second time in 17 hours, 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-17), but settled for a split on Saturday with a 3-1 (25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 25-21) loss to Maryville University.

The Red Devils (2-15, 2-1 SLIAC) gave the Blue Jays (1-12, 0-6 SLIAC) little hope they could avenge a 3-0 loss to EC the night before. Eureka sprinted out to a 10-1 advantage in the first set, and never saw the lead slip below seven the rest of the way. The Red Devils posted an amazing .593 kill percentage as team by hitting 16 kills to the floor without making an error on 27 attempts.

Eureka was slowed somewhat in set two, but scored seven of the last eight points after the game was tied at 18 for the win. Heather Myers (Eureka, Ill./HS) continued her errorless play with four kills on six attempts. Westminster suffered again from a slow start until rallying back from a 6-1 deficit for a 7-6 lead.

Though EC hit just .128, Eureka never trailed in the third set thanks to a defense that limited Westminster to a (-.125) percentage. Again the Red Devils benefitted from a cushy position early with a 9-3 lead. They eventually led by as many as 10 at 16-6 before settling for a 25-17 decision and their first three-set victory of the year.

Myers led all players in the match with nine kills and three service aces. She also led three Red Devils in double figures in digs with 13. Kylie Bahorik (Washington, Ill./Peoria Christian) had 12 digs and 24 assists, while Laura Willman (Metamora, Ill./HS) added 10. Paige Fannon (East Peoria, Ill./HS) and Brittany Feger (Heyworth, Ill./HS) had eight kills apiece to trumpet the EC offensive.

Maryville (3-12, 2-2 SLIAC) handed the Red Devils their first St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference loss, though EC challenged the Saints, who were predicted to finish in third place in the league, in each set.

The first set epitomized how the match would go for both squads. Maryville ran out to a 9-3 lead only to have Eureka roar back to take a 15-14 lead with a 12-5 run. Marisa Durley (Roanoke, Ill./Roanoke-Benson) played a star role in the comeback, serving three consecutive aces to get her team within 10-9. However, the Saints caught fire late, winning eight of the final 11 points to blow open a close 17-16 score. Maryville enjoyed a match-high .365 hitting percentage to escape with the win.

Eureka led for most of set two, but never by more than four. That allowed the Saints to steal the set with an 8-2 spurt late. The Red Devils led 18-15 before the tide turned in favor of the visitors.

The Red Devils were able to force a fourth set with some clutch plays in the third frame. Again neither team was able to get much breathing room. The largest lead was three points until EC took six straight points to turn a 17-16 deficit into a 22-17 lead that proved unsurmountable. Kaurie Lindenmeyer (Arcola, Ill./HS) was behind the service line for the rally, recording two aces.

Maryville appeared on its way to easily eliminate EC in set four with a 12-6 lead only to see the Red Devils fight back to tie the score at 15. Eureka never saw the lead, though, as the Saints came right back with a 6-0 run en route to a 25-21 set win.

Lindenmeyer led Eureka in the match with eight kills and 13 digs. Myers also registered 13 digs. Fannon, Bahorik and Feger had six kills each.

Eureka will stay at home and in conference play for the next match on the slate, versus Fontbonne University on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 7:00 pm.

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For More Information Contact:

Brian Sullivan
Sports Information Director
Eureka College
300 E. College Avenue
Eureka, Illinois 61530
309-467-6456
bsullivan@eureka.edu