Women's Volleyball | 11/29/2001 3:32:00 PM
Box Score GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Barry University volleyball team took another step in their national championship quest climbing over the scrappy Mountaineers of Western State 3-1 to advance to the semi-final round of the Elite Eight.
In the first game, the Mountaineers pulled out to a 12-6 lead over the unsettled Bucs. However, after a quick timeout, the Buccaneers pulled together going on a 10-3 run claiming an 18-15 lead and held on for a 30-26 win.
Following the same tracks laid in game one, the Buccaneers appeared to be in control in the second game leading 12-9. But, the scrappy Mountaineer team rallied to take the lead 20-19 and never looking back for a 30-26 win.
The Buccaneers then demanded the control of games three and four winning both 30-27 and 30-26.
"We were fortunate to get through this first round," said head coach David Nichols. "Both teams were evenly matched and both had their stretches of nervousness, but we were able to maintain our composure for the win."
Nichols added, "Their coach did a great job of coaching running a unique offense that we had trouble with early on, but we settled down and were able to outlast them."
Karla Bersano (6-1, So., OH, Sao Paulo, Brazil) was the go-to player for the Bucs once again as she has been many times in the past. She paced the Buccaneers with a 22-kill performance on 46 attempts, a .391 attack percentage, and 12 digs.
"I really don't look at myself as being the leader on the team," said Bersano. "It takes teamwork to win and everyone on our team is a really big part of all that."
Nipping at Bersano's heels was
Simone Ferrarezi (5-10, Jr., OH, Sao Paulo, Brazil) with 16 kills on 37 attempts and a .351 attack percentage.
Rochelle Magill (5-9, Jr., OH, Florence, Ariz.) and
Tricia Stanton (5-11, Sr., MH, Los Angeles, Calif.) tallied 11 and 10 kills respectively with Magill registering a team-high 15 digs.
Daniela Lanza (6-0, So., S, Sao Paulo, Brazil) led the Bucs with a .583 attack percentage tallying 8 kills while
Fernanda Ferreira (5-11, So., MH, Sao Paulo, Brazil) was a one-woman wrecking crew collecting a team-high 11 total blocks including four solos.
As a team the Bucs registered a .331 attack percentage for the match to the Mountaineers' .249. The also out blocked the Mountaineers (29-5) 14-8.
Michelle Morris, the Mountaineers' first team AVCA All-American selection, led their efforts with a team-high 17 kills and 18 digs. Sarah McKinley and Joni Harmon each added 15 kills while Karen Samuelson tallied 14.
At 30-2 overall on the season, the Bucs matched their 30-win season in 1994 which is second in school history. They will return to action on Friday, November 30 at 5:00 pm facing off with the winner of the Lock Haven/UC-San Diego match played later today.
