Nov. 4, 2006

Box Score

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - The Lewis Flyers were out-hit, out-blocked and out-dug, but it was top-seeded Southern Illinois Edwardsville that got knocked out as Lewis claimed its first women's volleyball conference championship since 1992 with a dramatic 30-27, 18-30, 24-30, 30-25, 15-13 come-from-behind upset win Saturday afternoon in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship match.

Lewis (25-5), which has not been ranked in the Great Lakes Region all season, has now earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament set to begin next weekend. Tournament seedings and location are to be finalized Sunday evening.

GLVC Freshman of the Year Stephanie Sagat led Lewis' attack against the Cougars, claiming a team-high 16 kills with 12 digs. Sarah McKinney added 15 kills and 12 digs, while Charisse Steckling totaled 14 kills. Theresa Nugent added 10 kills with 17 digs. Andrea Morrone had 53 assists, and Lauren Hatter posted a team high of 27 digs.

The Cougars had five players reach double figures in kills, led by Mallory Clements' match bests of 18 kills and .333 hitting percentage. Beth DeGreeff made 31 digs, and Kelsey Hubert had one solo and 10 assisted blocks.

SIUE hit .206 compared to .164 by the Flyers, but the Flyers hit .333 with just two errors in the decisive fifth game. The Cougars also held advantages in total blocks (19-7) and service aces (5-2).

The Flyers, 14-2 in conference play this season, defeated 19th-ranked Rockhurst University and 13th-ranked SIU Edwardsville in back-to-back matches to earn the league title and avenge earlier season losses to each club. It's the fifth conference title in program history.