Aug. 27, 2005

Chadron State Final Stats
Central Oklahoma Final Stats
Colorado Christian Final Stats

LAKEWOOD, Colo.--Defense carried the Lewis University women's volleyball team to the Mile High Classic championship, as the Flyers averaged 21.4 digs and 3.5 blocks per game en route to a 4-0 record in the season's opening weekend.

The Flyers sandwiched a pair of sweeps around two four-set victories in their weekend. After sweeping Texas Woman's University in the season opener, Lewis beat Chadron State (Neb.) (28-30, 30-18, 30-12, 30-17), Central Oklahoma (30-26, 30-26, 27-30, 30-25) and Colorado Christian (30-14, 30-15, 30-11) in succession to claim the tournament title.

Against Chadron State, junior Theresa Nugent carried Lewis as the outside hitter pounded 19 kills and hit .255 while adding seven digs and four blocks. Junior Sarah McKinney and freshman Aubrey Dondlinger chipped in with nine kills apiece.

McKinney also had 16 digs and libero Abby Hodge posted a match-high 23 digs. Setter Andrea Morrone handed out 43 assists and contributed 14 digs, three blocks and four kills.

Lewis posted 86 digs and 14 team blocks against Chadron State. Freshman Lauren Hatter recorded 14 digs and a pair of blocks, while sophomore Becca Lisle had four blocks, including three solo blocks.

Central Oklahoma proved to be Lewis' toughest competition on the weekend. The teams were evenly matched, but Lewis' 18 team blocks turned out to be the difference.

Lisle registered her first career double double as she stamped out 12 kills and 10 blocks. Nugent led the team with 15 kills and Dondlinger added 12 kills.

Morrone passed out 47 assists and had 21 digs and a career-high seven blocks.

In Lewis' tournament finale, the Flyers dispatched tournament host Colorado Christian in approximately one hour. Lewis held the Cougars to a -.064 hitting percentage in the match on the strength of 85 digs and eight team blocks in the three-set match.

Dondlinger led the way offensively with 15 kills and a .364 hitting percentage. Lisle added 11 kills and had six blocks, while redshirt freshman Sylvia Ciezak posted seven kills.

Hodge recorded a match-high 21 digs and Morrone had 30 assists and 15 digs.

In 14 games played this past weekend, Lewis combined to hit .202 and held its opponents to a lowly .046 hitting percentage.

Nugent paced the offense, averaging 3.83 kills per game and hitting .240. Lisle was a blocking machine, as she averaged 2.08 blocks per game. Hodge led the team in digs with 4.83 per game.

Morrone might have turned in the best all-around performance with per game averages of 10.19 assists, 4.29 digs and 1.00 blocks.

Lewis will bring its undefeated record home next weekend when it hosts its annual Flyer Festival Tournament over Labor Day weekend. 11 teams will play on three courts with matches spread out over three days beginning on Thursday, Sept. 1.

Lewis' first game in the Flyer Festival is Set. 1 when it plays Michigan Tech at 7 p.m.