Oct. 23, 2001
VALPARAISO, Ind. - The Purdue volleyball team picked up a 30-27, 23-30, 30-27, 30-26 win over Valparaiso on Tuesday. The Boilermakers improved to 3-15 on the season, while Valparaiso slipped to 6-14.
"I feel good about the way we passed, but we still have a long way to go," head coach Jeff Hulsmeyer said. "But tonight's win was definitely a step in the right direction."
Senior Maegan Petersen paced both teams with 19 kills and 21 digs, her fourth double-double of the season. Sophomore Joanna Lowry turned in 18 kills and 14 digs for her second double-double of the year.
The Old Gold and Black got out to a 5-1 lead to start the match in Game 1. Valparaiso went on a 7-3 run to tie the match at 8. The Crusaders continued to break away, extending the lead to 13-11. But Purdue was not out of the fight. The Boilermakers went on a 7-5 run to knot the game 18-all, and then 20-all. Petersen scored of four of Purdue's next seven, en route to a 27-26 advantage. Kills from rookie Leah Wischmeier and sophomore Eryn Leach, and an out-of-bounds Crusader error gave the Boilermakers the game.
Game 2 would go to Valparaiso in a 30-23 decision, but Purdue quickly rebounded in Game 3. After being tied 13 times through the 18 marks, the Boilermakers went on a 4-0 run to take a 22-18 lead. Two kills from Petersen and three Crusader errors put Purdue up 27-20. Petersen, Leach and Lowry all got in one more for the 30-27 Old Gold and Black victory. Purdue overcame a 19-11 deficit to win Game 4 30-26.
The Boilermakers will head to Michigan this weekend to face the Spartans and Wolverines. Both matches will be broadcast live on WAZY 1410 AM and www.purduesports.com.