Young LMU Volleyball Team Settles In To Defeat Ohio Valley University 3-0 In Season-Opener

HARROGATE, TN – The young but talented Lincoln Memorial University Lady Railsplitter volleyball team overcame some early match jitters in Friday evening’s 2007 season-opener to notch a 3-0 over the Fighting Scots of Ohio Valley University.

Playing in first round action of the annual LMU Invitational, the Lady Splitters won in straight games 30-21, 30-18 and 30-34 to move to 1-0 heading into tomorrow’s matches against the University of the Cumberlands and Union College.

Lincoln Memorial Freshman Ashley Knight (Palm Harbor, FL) led the Lady Railsplitter offensive in her first collegiate match by turning in 12 kills, while teammate Leah Cagle (Hendersonville, NC) had a match-high 31 assists.  The defensive effort was also led by Knight who had 12 digs, while sophomore Amanda Horenkamp (Murfreesboro, TN) and senior veteran Karlee Wyrick (Cincinnati, OH) each had 10.  Freshman Lauren Kiwacka (Tipp City, OH) had a strong defensive performance at the net for LMU with one solo and five block assists, while teammates Ashley Knight, Alison Hess (Dayton, OH) and Amanda Baker (Los Banos, CA) each posted three block assists.

LMU Head Coach Mike Smith was please with Friday’s win.  “We’re young and we have to learn how to play together quickly,” said Smith.  “This team has talent, but we have got to learn how to play with emotion and use our energy to put teams away.”