Oct. 30, 2007

Final Stats

DeLand, Fla. - Stetson University got big points down the stretch in the final two games to complete a 3-0 sweep of Bethune-Cookman University in volleyball on Tuesday night at the Edmunds Center in DeLand, Fla. Stetson took the match on line scores of 30-13, 30-25 and 30-24.

Stetson (9-15) looked powerful and awfully good in the first game as they ran away with a decisive 30-13 victory.

In the second game, Bethune-Cookman (7-12) fought back and looked like the Wildcats of the past week with furious rallies that ended just short in the end.

Freshman setter Julie Gibson was frenetic at the net for B-CU as she made timely sets and tips over the net for the Wildcats. A lot of her passes were directed at fellow freshman Kaiyana Johnson as Johnson racked up 10 kills on the night.

For Johnson, it was her third time in double-digits for kills on the season, but just her first since Sept. 28 at South Carolina State.

B-CU made a tremendous rally in the second game to cut the lead behind the service power of freshman Shakhea Moore-Hagins. Moore-Hagins set the SU defense in bad positions, allowing for blocks from Talisha Black and kills from both Johnson and Gibson.

SU took a 4-1 run in the end to take the 30-25 win in the second game. The Hatters were taken upon the shoulders of Rebecca Orzechowicz and Laura Boyd down the stretch.

SU setter Karla Readshaw made assists to both players in the third game as well for the Hatters, while teammate Beth Slabaugh was at the net for kills as well.

B-CU rallied in the third game to take the lead as Moore-Hagins served up nice services, and Johnson and Marlene Holmes also chipped in with the kills. Holmes, fresh off a career-high night on Senior Appreciation Night for B-CU four days ago, was again remarkable for the `Cats as she collected six kills and one assisted block.

SU was too powerful down the stretch as they hustled to keep balls in play to help get the point. Gina Iacona was timely with her nine kills--three coming in the third game. Sarah Sears was just at the right place at the right time as she was able to bat down kills that were on free balls over the net from B-CU.

The Hatters were led by Orzechowicz and Boyd with a match-high tying 10 kills each. Rachel Miller supplied the defense for SU with a match-high 14 digs, and Orzechowicz had three blocks (two assists).

B-CU was powered by Johnson's 10 kills, as well as Gibson's eight kills to boot. Senior Julie Gibson quarterbacked the offense with 23 assists.

Her counterpart from Stetson, Readshaw, had a match-high 42 assists.

The Wildcats continue their regular season-ending road trip with game number two of a five-match road swing as they travel to Norfolk State for a conference match-up with the Spartans on Friday, Nov. 2 at Echols Hall in Norfolk, Va.