Sept. 16, 2005
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermaker volleyball team used effective serving and blocking in its 3-0 sweep of Ohio on Day 1 of the Mortar Board Premier Friday night. Purdue served up five aces and outblocked the Bobcats 12-6 en route to the 30-19, 30-23, 30-20 win.
The Boilermakers started the match with a 7-1 run, capped by back-to-back aces from junior Melanie Ukovich (Minooka, Ill.). Ohio cut the Purdue lead to four at 10-6 with a 3- run including an ace by Stephanie Blackburn. Down 12-6 moments later, the Bobcats responded making it a three-point game at 14-11. The point-margin teetered between three and five over the next 12 serves. With the score standing at 20-17, Purdue broke out on a 10-2 run to end the game, capitalizing on five Bobcat miscues along the way. A block by senior Renata Dargan (New Lenox, Ill.) and sophomore Lizzie Jacques (Winfield, Ill.) capped the 30-19 win. Sophomore Sam Mader (Algoquin, Ill.) scattered six kills throughout the stanza, while senior Leah Wischmeier (Brownstown, Ind.) added five.
Purdue carried the momentum into Game 2, jumping out to a 6-1 lead. The Boilermakers chalked up four blocks in the opening seven points, including two each by Jaques, Ukovich and Wischmeier. Ohio pulled within three at 9-6, but the Purdue lead rose to five at 14-9 on a solo block by Wischmeier. A 3-0 run by the Bobcats made it a two-point game at 14-12. That effort sparked a 5-0 Purdue rally, which including an ace by freshman Kelli Miller (Muncie, Ind.) as well as two kills and a block by Jacques. The Boilermakers led 19-12 at that point, but Ohio would not give up. The point margin rose to eight at 24-16 and 26-19, but the Bobcats scored two in a row to make it a six-point game at 26-20. Purdue answered with kills by Wischmeier and Dargan to make it 28-20. A block by Jacques set up the Boilermakers' first game-point attempt at 29-21. A block and a kill by Ohio thwarted Purdue's next two chances, but a kill by freshman Stephanie Lynch (New Albany, Ind.) sealed the 30-23 win. Wischmeier and Lynch each tallied five kills in the stanza, while Jacques put up four blocks.
Ohio took its first lead of the night with the first two points out of the intermission. Purdue answered with kills by Ukovich and Jacques to tie it up at 2-2. The Bobcats remained in control, making it 4-2 with a kill and a block by Julia Winkfield. The Boilermakers tied the score at 6-6, but could not overtake Ohio, who extended its lead to three at 9-6. The Boilermakers cut the margin to one at 9-8 and 10-9, but could not break through. Down 13-10, Purdue used a 3-0 run including a kill and a block by Wischmeier to tie it up at 13-13. The teams tied at 14 and 16, but the Boilermakers could not gain control. Finally, down 17-16, Purdue strung together three points, two on kills by Lynch and Merlau, to take its first lead of the stanza. Ohio was within two at 22-20, but sophomore Annie Mastandrea (Downers Grove, Ill.) served out the match to give Purdue the 30-20 win. The Boilermakers scored four of its final six points on Bobcat miscues.
Wischmeier led all hitters with a match-high 13 kills. Mader followed with nine, while Merlau tallied eight. Purdue hit .313 for the match, while holding Ohio to a .136 hitting percentage including a .077 effort in the final stanza.
Mastandrea led the Boilermaker defense with 18 digs. Ukovich and junior Brittany Dildine (West Lafayette, Ind.) followed with seven each. Jacques led the Purdue blocking front with a career-high eight blocks, while Wischmeier added a career-high five stuffs.
"Ohio is going to have another fantastic season," head coach Dave Shondell said. "We knew that we were going to have to be on top of our game. John (Shondell) did a great job drawing up the game plan and our players did a super job responding to their preparations. Sometimes when you are playing well, you can make an awfully good team not look so strong.
"Serving was key to begin with. We knew we needed to disrupt their fast offense. Our blockers also had to be so attentive because their hitters were so quick, and they seemed to be fairly effective."
The Boilermakers (9-0) return to action at 10 a.m. when they take on the Xavier Musketeers to open Day 2 of the Mortar Board tournament. The team will also close out the Premier with a 7 p.m. contest against No. 16 Tennessee, who topped Xavier 3-1 in opening day action.