Lady Cougars Keep Conference Streak Going with Sweep


	Lady Cougar Volleyball Recaps Lady Cougars Keep Conference Streak Going with Sweep written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (9-8-2012) - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's volleyball team capped off a great opening week of Crossroads League play as the Lady Cougars swept the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) 25-17, 25-19, 25-20 in conference play in the Physical Education Center on Saturday afternoon. MVNU (8-3, 3-0 Crossroads), which went just 5-13 in conference play a year ago, put together a scoring spurt in each of the three sets to pull away for the victory. The Lady Cougars pulled away in the middle of the first set for a 25-17 win and then scored six of the final seven points in the second set as they prevailed 25-19. MVNU trailed 10-7 in the third set and held just a slim 15-13 lead before the Lady Cougars rattled off seven straight points to take command on the way to a 25-20 victory to claim the match. Senior libero Kaylee Hewitt led MVNU with 18 digs against Saint Francis (4-7, 1-2 Crossroads), which was coming off a five-set match against NAIA No. 17 Taylor (Ind.) University on Friday night. Junior outside hitter Kendra Votaw pounded 13 kills and tallied three blocks, while senior outside hitter Haley Nofziger also smashed 10 kills. Senior setter Lauren Percival handed out 37 assists to go with 10 digs, and junior middle hitter Kelly Mast contributed six kills and two blocks. Senior middle hitter Gina Porto also tied for the team lead with three blocks. "This was a very rewarding day," said MVNU coach Paul Swanson. "I think (Saint Francis) is a very nice team and we played really consistently throughout the match. You have to commend our back row and especially Kaylee. She played really a great match. She always plays well and it's not like she has bad games, but this was an exceptional day for her. Lauren just makes us be such a good team. Our outside hitters hit the ball nicely and Kelly contributed and did well and we need that every match." "I could not be pleased with the effort that our players gave and the execution that they gave," Swanson added. "This is a great conference win for us. We did a great job of scoring in spurts and then siding out so well that it helped us win." The Lady Cougars will return to action on Wednesday when MVNU will host Grace (Ind.) College in another Crossroads League match at 7 p.m.

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