Crusaders Sweep Their Way to the Championship Game
Maranatha 3, Great Lakes 0
Maranatha 3, Moody 0
Maranatha 1, Lincoln Christian 3
October 31, 2009
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Maranatha Crusader volleyball team swept their way to the regional championship but lost in the championship to the Red Lions of Lincoln Christian University in four sets.
The Crusaders swept the Crusaders of Great Lakes Christian College in the quarterfinals and then swept the Archers of Moody Bible Institute in the semifinals on Friday afternoon to advance to the NCCAA Midwest Regional Championship. The Archers were ranked #3 in the NCCAA II and had defeated the Crusaders in four sets on Sept. 12. The regional tournament featured 3 of the top 6 ranked teams in the NCCAA II.
Freshman outside hitter Torey DeLozier (Watertown, Wis.) led the way for the Crusaders with 18 kills and 13 digs against Great Lakes. DeLozier had a hitting percentage of .600. Senior middle hitter Keelin Nissley (Alexandria, Va.) had 6 kills, 2 block solos, and a hitting percentage of .500. Freshman middle hitter Alyssa Trivino (Green Lane, Pa.) added 4 block solos and 1 block assist.
In the rematch against Moody, DeLozier continued her dominant hitting with 20 kills and a .586 hitting percentage. DeLozier also added 13 digs and 2 block solos. Freshman outside hitter Mary Lynn Strayer (Andover, Minn.) had 10 kills, and junior libero Samantha Pagel (Coleman, Wis.) added 12 digs. Junior setter Erin Fredricks (Anoka, Minn.) had 23 assists and had 2 service aces with a perfect 18-18 on serves.
The Crusaders are now 12-18, 7-3 against NCCAA opponents.