The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

November 13, 2007

Cougars set for regionals

By Randall Jett

Mountain State University’s volleyball team continues to turn heads.

The Cougars mowed through the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament over the past weekend to earn a berth in the NAIA Region 12 tournament at King College in Bristol, Tenn.

Mountain State (30-14) will play Union at 6 p.m. Friday with the winner advancing to play Bryan College at noon Saturday.

On the other side of the bracket, Indiana University SE plays U.Va.-Wise at 4 p.m. Friday with the winner advancing to play King College at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The championship will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Union is no stranger to coach Tim Berry’s squad, and he expects a hard-fought match.

“We played Union back in October,” Berry said. “We lost to them, but it was in five (games). It went right down to the last serve.

“We know it’s going to be a tight tournament. Everybody there is good and capable of beating the other.”

The Cougars will need strong net play behind all-conference hitter Jennifer Baltrym and Jennifer Basher and April Warden, along with setter Jesica Green.

“We’re just going to have to play in their face,” Berry said. “We’re going to have to have a lot of power. I feel like our ball handling will be there and our passes will be there. We just need to intimidate them and control the net.”

Missing may be all-conference hitter Jennifer Lilly, who injured her shoulder last Saturday in the semifinals.

“She was a big reason we’ve made the progress this season that we have,” Berry said. “Jen injured her right shoulder and she couldn’t swing or anything. She was in a lot of pain. We’re in limo right now.

Lilly will be a game-time decision.

Jennifer Sloan will be another key contributor for the Cougars. The senior libero earned KIAC Player of the Year honors last week and currently hold national records with 1,550 digs and 40 matches with 20-plus digs this season. She is also averaging 9.5 digs per game.

MSU advanced to the regional by defeating Asbury College 3-1. The Cougars won the first two games, while Asbury stayed alive by winning game three.

Mountain State put the match away in game four. The Cougars jumped out to a 7-2 lead and never looked back.

This isn’t MSU’s first trip to the postseason. The Cougars advanced to the Region 9 tournament in 2003 and 2004. If the Cougars advance from the regional, they will join the final field of 20 teams in the NAIA national championship tournament Nov. 28-30.

— E-mail:

rjett@register-herald.com

Text Only
Sports
  • Big12logo.jpg Getting to know the Big 12 Conference

    As West Virginia University moves into the Big 12 Conference, here's one place to come to find out about all of the Mountaineers new league opponents.

    April 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • WVU releases 2012 football schedule

    West Virginia University has released its football schedule for 2012.

    WVU announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the conference power Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July in time for the fall football season.
     

    February 14, 2012

  • WVU settles Big East lawsuit

    West Virginia University announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July.
    Athletic Director Oliver Luck said the terms of the deal were confidential and WVU wouldn’t release details. But Luck said no state, taxpayer, tuition or other academic dollars will be used in the settlement.

    February 14, 2012

  • Shannon leads Woodrow win; Weiford 3 keys Spartans

    February 14, 2012

  • Woodrow holds off Huntington

     It took Woodrow Wilson’s boys basketball team nearly three quarters to figure out that the backside lob was open in Huntington High’s zone.

    January 10, 2012

  • MSU hosts Rio Grande

    For the first time since 1995, Mountain State stands a little past the half-way point at the season with five losses.

    January 10, 2012

  • OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - WVU to join Big 12 Conference

    The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors have voted unanimously to accept West Virginia University as a full conference member effective July 1, 2012.  The Mountaineers will begin competing in the Big 12 beginning with the 2012-13 athletic season.

    October 28, 2011

  • Friday update: Big East notified WVU leaving for Big 12

    The Big East says it has been notified that West Virginia is leaving the conference and joining the Big 12.

    October 28, 2011

  • Cardinals force Game 7 in World Series

    After one of the greatest games in baseball history, a 10-9, 11-inning victory over Texas in Game 6 in which the Cardinals were twice within one strike of elimination.

    October 28, 2011

  • Schiano sings WVU’s praises

    It hasn’t been the year that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano envisioned.
    Not close.

    December 1, 2010