LMU Volleyball Defeats OVU & UC to Remain Unbeaten 

HARROGATE, TN – Lincoln Memorial’s volleyball team knocked off Ohio Valley University in straight games 3-0 and won a close battle with the University of the Cumberlands 3-1 on Saturday to complete a perfect 4-0 sweep of this weekend’s competition in the LMU Invitational Tournament.

The LMU women looked strong in the first match of the afternoon by winning over Ohio Valley University 30-24, 30-23 and 30-16 to set the stage with the University of the Cumberlands in the final match.

Senior Joy Otto (Barrington, IL) led LMU offensively with 15 kills, while freshman setter Amber Vanderlin (Mesquite, TX) dished out 37 kills.  Defensively, junior Jency Basinger (Temecula, CA) was the sparkplug, recording 16 digs, while Vanderlin completed the double-double with 13 more.

As the second match got underway, it looked as though LMU would roll over the Patriots of the University of the Cumberlands.  The Lady Railsplitters pounded out a 30-10 win in the first game, only to see UC slip past them in game-two 27-30. 

After a strong word from Head Coach Mike Smith in between games, the LMU women bounced back to win game-three 30-18, and then edged the Patriots 30-26 in the final game of the match to come away with the 3-1 win.

Freshman Alison Hess (Dayton, OH) was the only Lady Railsplitter to reach double figures in the kills category with 11.  Amber Vanderlin picked up right where she left off in the first match of the day, recording 39 assists to help the LMU cause. 

Defense again proved to be a big contributing factor in the win.  Five Lady Railsplitters made double figures in the digs category, led by Vanderlin with 15, Amanda Horencamp (Murfreesboro, TN) with 14, senior Blythe McCulley (Springfield, IL) with 13, Jency Basinger with 12, and junior Karlee Wyrick (Cincinnati, OH) with 11.

The young but talented Lady Railsplitters now have several days to prepare for their outing next Friday in Greeneville, Tennessee when they compete in the Tusculum College Invitational.  LMU will face off against Brevard College and Concord College in the first two matches of that tournament.

Lincoln Memorial def. Ohio Valley 30-24,30-23,30-16 Ohio Valley (1-2) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Michelle Morrison 9-0-1; Kristan Ashbrook 7-0-1; Sarah Dumbaugh 5-1-1; Jodie Waskey 4-0-1; Lindsey Kaufman 4-0-0; Mandy Strohm 0-1-0; Totals 29-2-2.0. (Assists) - Amy Graham 21. (Dig leaders) - Mandy Strohm 15; Kristan Ashbrook 14; Amy Graham 10; Kelly Newberry 8 Lincoln Memorial (2-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Joy Otto 12-0-0; Jaclyn Dvorscak 9-1-1; Blythe McCulley 7-2-0; Amanda Horenkamp 6-0-0; Alison Hess 5-2-0; Amanda Baker 4-0-0; Cami Lefeld 3-0-0; Amber Vanderlin 2-0-0; Caitlin Hankins 2-0-1; Jency Basinger 2-8-0; Totals 52-13-1.0. (Assists) - Amber Vanderlin 37. (Dig leaders) - Jency Basinger 16; Amber Vanderlin 13 Site: Harrogate, TN (Mars Gym) Date: Aug 26, 2006 Attend: 80 Time: 1:05 Referees: Patsy Neal, Kelly Peterson

Lincoln Memorial def. Cumberlands 30-10,27-30,30-18,30-26 Cumberlands (2-2) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Anna Clemenz 11-3-1; Lauren Taylor 8-0-2; Aslean White 7-1-3; Taran Johnson 6-0-4; Sumyr Knight 6-2-2; Liz Bowling 4-3-0; Kaylan Suttles 1-0-0; Emma Glancy 0-1-0; Totals 43-10-7.0. (Assists) - Aslean White 20; Liz Bowling 19. (Dig leaders) - Anna Clemenz 20; Liz Bowling 18; Aslean White 14; Kaylan Suttles 12; Sumyr Knight 11 Lincoln Memorial (4-0) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Alison Hess 11-2-2; Blythe McCulley 9-2-0; Joy Otto 9-0-2; Amanda Baker 8-0-2; Amber Vanderlin 8-4-1; Amanda Horenkamp 7-1-0; Cami Lefeld 4-0-0; Jaclyn Dvorscak 2-0-0; Karlee Wyrick 1-1-0; Jency Basinger 0-1-0; Totals 59-11-5.0. (Assists) - Amber Vanderlin 39. (Dig leaders) - Amber Vanderlin 15; Amanda Horenkamp 14; Blythe McCulley 13; Jency Basinger 12; Karlee Wyrick 11 Site: Harrogate, TN (Mars Gym) Date: Aug 26, 2006 Attend: 80 Time: 1:34 Referees: Patsy Neal, Ed Clark