Aug. 27, 2005

Box Score

COCONUT, Fla. - Western Washington University overcame a 13-10 deficit in the fifth and deciding game to defeat host and defending NCAA Division II national champion Barry University, 30-26, 27-30, 30-28, 23-30, 19-17, to begin the Buccaneer Invitational Volleyball Tournament on Saturday.

The Vikings came back later in the day to sweep Nova Southeastern University, 30-21, 30-18, 30-21.

The tournament was postponed one day and moved to North Broward Prep School because power was not restored on Barry's campus after Miami was hit by Hurricane Katrina on Thursday.

Trailing Barry 13-10 in game five, middle blocker Marissa Hill (Fr., North Bend/Mount Si) had three kills as Western tied the score at 14-all. The Vikings took an 18-17 lead, their first since an early 8-6 advantage, as outside hitter Jamie Petersen (Sr., Kent/Kentwood) had two straight kills, the last after an outstanding dig by libero Courtney Schneider (So., Snohomish). An attack error by Barry ended the contest.

"The match was a lot like this trip," said Western coach Diane Flick. "The team showed a lot of class and handled every adversity."

Petersen led Western with 17 kills (.268 attack percentage), 10 digs, two blocks and three service aces; and Hill had a match-high 20 kills (.297). Also in double-figure kills for the Vikings were middle blocker Tiana Roma (R-Fr., Edmonds/Edmonds-Woodway) with 11 (.292) and outside hitter Krystal Knight (Sr., Sumner) with 10 (.304).

Western had 13 service aces, led by setter Katie Robinson (So., Everson/Nooksack Valley) with four. Schneider finished with a match-high 26 digs. Setter Kristen Urdahl (Sr., Spokane/Ferris) had 37 assists and Robinson 28.

Barry, which has won three national titles over the last 10 years, was led by Nicole Castera with 16 kills and 14 digs. Kelly Dantas also had 16 kills (.538) for the Buccaneers, and Samara de Freitas (.355) and Jentry Redinger each had 15 kills.

In the sweep of Nova Southeastern, the Vikings closed out game one by scoring nine of the last 12 points, and held early leads of 10-3 and 10-1, respectively, in games two and three.

Hill (.391) and outside hitter Sarah Primrose (Fr., Issaquah) (.450) each had a match-high 11 kills. Outside hitter Siri Wuotila (So., Seattle/Highline) added 14 digs and Roma had five blocks, both match bests.

"For the first day with a young team, it was outstanding," Flick said. "I'm really proud of the group with how they handled everything. One of our goals was to get experience for our young players and so far we've been able to do that."

Western will close out the tourney Sunday, meeting Dowling College NY at 6 a.m. PT and Barry at 9 a.m. PT.