Dec. 2, 2005

Madonna Ends Texas Wesleyan Cinderella Run at NAIA Volleyball Championship

 

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Madonna University's (Mich.) quest for a perfect season may have ended at the end of pool play with a loss to National American University (S.D.), but the Crusaders didn't dwell on the loss, posting a 3-1 (30-28, 30-21, 23-30, 30-15) against Texas Wesleyan University in a quarterfinal match  at the 26^th Annual NAIA Volleyball National Championship. Hosted by Point Loma Nazarene University, the tournament is being played on campus in Golden Gymnasium November 30 - December 3

 

The No. 4 ranked Madonna University (Mich.) volleyball team earned their second trip to the Fab Four after a disappointing showing last year, finishing at 2-2 in pool play for 2004.  The Crusaders' first semifinal appearance was in 2002.  Senior Laura Lesko paced the Crusader offensive attack with 21 kills in 34 attempts, while senior Natalja Tinina added 20 kills and Caryn Inman chipped in 19.  Ashley Frost posted 61 assists for the second time in as many days. 

 

Texas Wesleyan's remarkable run came to an end with the loss.  After going undefeated in pool play, the Rams hit just .182 and had 24 attack errors.  Rachel Loftin recorded 16 kills and four blocks in the losing effort and Whitney Johansen recorded another double-double with 44 assists and 13 digs.  Texas Wesleyan ends its season at 37-5 and  Loftin will graduate as the school's career leader in kills with 1,779.

 

The win improves Madonna to 48-1 on the season and 4-1 in the national tournament. The Crusaders advance to the national semi-finals where they will face defending national champion California Baptist, who upset previously undefeated and No. 1 ranked Fresno Pacific (Calif.) in the quarterfinal round, 3-1.  The match is scheduled for 10 a.m. (Pacific) on Saturday, December 3.

 

Box Score