The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

October 13, 2006

Appalachian Bible falls to Cougars 30-12, 30-17 30-12

By Randall Jett

Records don’t add up to a whole lot when you’re playing your cross-town neighbor.

Mountain State University proved that Thursday with a three-game, 30-12, 30-17, 30-12 sweep of Appalachian Bible College before a frenzied crowd at MSU’s Van Meter Gymnasium.

The loss ended a five-game winning streak for the Warriors.

The Cougars (6-14) controlled the floor, allowing the Warriors to score three points in a row only twice in the match — both in game two.

“We played a well-rounded game,” MSU coach Tim Berry said. “We played smooth tonight. Our attacks were on.”

Tiffany Underwood and Bre Harper-Rist knocked down 12 kills apiece to lead the Cougars at the net and freshman April Warden proved a nice complement to the duo, adding eight kills.

“April played the net real well and got some blocks,” Berry said. “She’s played well the last couple or three matches. She’s going to mature and become stronger.”

Nacole Howard also played strong on the front line, notching seven kills, while Kelli Webb proved 39 assists for the Cougars.

“We’re pretty balanced,” Berry said. “Right now, that’s what we need. We don’t need one girl that much. We need everybody doing their job.”

“We need to mix our offense up and run a variety of plays with each other. That’s what makes it work. Our defense has always been there. We’ve just not been able to generate the offense.”

Harper-Rist topped the Cougars’ servers, earning 15 points with two aces. Freshman Danielle Meadows had a strong match, contributing 12 service points, and Webb added 10 points and two aces.

“Serving was a little bit better than we’ve had in the last couple of games,” Berry said. “We only had four serving errors. That’s not too bad.”

Appalachian Bible College (10-7) had trouble matching the Cougars’ hitters all night.

“This is scholarship ball and I don’t expect them to come in here and just pound and pound and play with them,” ABC coach Dennis Persinger said. “I expect them to work hard and they did. It’s just when you’re overmatched, you’re overmatched, and that’s just the way it is.”

But the Warriors did get some strong play at times in front from Rachelle Lipka and Katie O’dell. Lipka finished with 10 kills and two blocks, while O’dell added five kills.

“The passing wasn’t there,” Persinger said. “When the passes are not up tight, then you’re not going to get it. I’ve got the hitters, it just depends on who we are matched up with.”

Rachel Martin led the Warriors in service with five points.

Persinger is looking for his squad to bounce back quickly as it hosts Freewill Baptist College at 4:30 p.m. today.

“We had won five in a row and done well in our conference,” he said. “I’m real pleased with them. This is not a problem here.”

Mountain State returns to action Saturday, traveling to Shenandoah University in Lynchburg, Va.

— E-mail:

rjett@register-herald.com

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