"Walsh"

  When the Walsh University Lady Cavaliers arrived in Mount Vernon Tuesday night to take on the MVNC women's volleyball team, they brought with them an undefeated Mid-Ohio Conference record and a determination to end the Lady Cougars' NAIA-record 64-match home winning streak.

  On the other hand, MVNC, the two-time defending MOC champions, was just as determined to avenge its only conference loss (a five-game setback at Walsh) and keep the home winning streak intact.

  After an exciting four games spanning almost two hours, it was the Lady Cougars who came out on top 15-9, 16-14, 9-15, 15-10 as a crowd of 1,016 people cheered them on.

  "This was a great environment tonight," said MVNC head coach Paul Swanson. "The crowd really gave us a boost. Both teams had a lot on the line, so this is a very gratifying win over an outstanding team."

  The Lady Cavaliers (29-5, 13-1) started out well as they showed why they are currently ranked sixth in the NAIA Great Lakes Region by scoring the first six points of game one. MVNC (32-7, 15-1) bounced right back to take an 8-6 lead behind the serving of Becky Jefferys and the hitting of Tara Seiter.

  After Walsh scored another point, the Lady Cougars extended their lead to 12-7 as Seiter served for four straight points. The Lady Cavaliers trimmed the margin to 12-9, but a block by Courtny Testa and back-to-back kills by Rachel Widener and Seiter gave MVNC a 15-9 win.

  The two teams traded points to a 5-5 tie in the second game before Walsh moved ahead 8-5. Then, with Seiter serving, the Lady Cougars used another run to pull ahead 9-8. MVNC increased the lead to 13-10 on the hitting and blocking of Testa, but the Lady Cavaliers rallied to tie the score at 13-13.

  After exchanging points and several sideouts, the Lady Cougars won the game 16-14 on two good serves by Seiter, including one ace.

  Facing a 2-0 deficit in the match, Walsh showed what they were made of in the third game as the Lady Cavaliers jumped out to a 6-1 lead. After MVNC tied the scored at 6-6 behind the hitting of Seiter and Amber Rice, Walsh ran off six more unanswered points.

  The Lady Cougars closed to 12-9 on the serving of Widener, but the Lady Cavaliers were not to be denied as they hung on for a 15-9 victory.

  MVNC took control of the fourth game early and then had to hold off a furious comeback by Walsh. The Lady Cougars posted an 11-4 lead behind the serving and hitting of Testa. Then, the Lady Cavaliers fought back to close the gap to 12-10.

  From that point on, though, the Lady Cougars scored the final three points of the match as Testa and Widener combined to serve MVNC to the 15-10 victory.

  "We frustrated them (Walsh) in the first two games by scoring in spurts," said Swanson. "In the third game, they showed why they have been so successful this year. In the fourth game, we just controlled the back row and were determined to end the match."

  "This was a total team effort," Swanson added. "Our play in the back row throughout the match was the key. Our hitters did a good job, and Becky (Jefferys) set a good match."

  Seiter led MVNC with 22 kills and three aces, while Widener finished with 17 kills. Testa recorded a team-high six blocks and added eight kills, while Rice and Tammy Custer contributed five and eight kills respectively.

  Walsh was led by Jennifer Swartz with 24 kills and 25 digs. Hollie Borton finished with 16 kills, while Abby Feyh recorded 15 kills and a match-high 11 blocks.

  The Lady Cougars will return to action on Friday when they begin pool play in the 1996 National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament at Lee College in Cleveland, Tennessee. MVNC will face Lee College (#19 in the NAIA), Bethel (IN) College (#10 in the NAIA), and MidAmerica Nazarene (KS) College in pool play action.

  On Saturday, the teams will be re-seeded for the single elimination portion of the eight-team tournament. The Lady Cougars are the fifth seed entering pool play action.