Oct. 16, 2000

Box Score

Villanova, Pa. - On October 16, the Villanova Wildcat volleyball team hosted the Siena College Saints in a Monday after matinee. Villanova overcame an early 2-1 lead by Siena to capture the match. After winning 15-9, the Wildcats fell in two consecutive games 15-12 and 15-13. Villanova responded well by winning the next game 15-9. They closed the deal in the fifth and deciding set, by winning the game 15-7 in a rally-scoring format.

Leading the way for Villanova were seniors Tina Zitterich (Ames, Iowa/Gilbert), Breen Eddinger (Tacoma, Wash./Bellarmine Prep), and Lisa Trumball (Rockford, Ill./Keith School). The three accounted for 66 percent of the offense by tallying a combined 38 kills in the match. Zitterich recorded a game high 14 kills, while Eddinger and Trumball each added 12. Trumball's .241 hitting percentage was highlight by several thunderous kills.

Also joining in the offensive attack were sophomore Leah Mathews (Poway, Calif./Our Lady of Peace) and senior Ruth Ann Blankenheim (Lighthouse Point, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons). Mathews accumulated eight kills, while Blankenheim crushed seven. Blankenheim led the team with a .312 hitting percentage.

Assisting the offense as usual was freshman Jennifer Edwards (Valencia, Calif./Valencia). Edwards handed out 44 assists on the afternoon, an 8.8 per game average. Edwards was also in the mix defensively tallying 15 digs. That mark placed her second on the team. Leading the Wildcats was Mathews, who recorded 22 digs. Junior Jackie Fugiel (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah) and sophomore Yvonne Pierpont (St. Petersburg, Fla./St. Petersburg) aided the effort. The duo tallied seven and six digs respectively.

Villanova accumulated 14 total blocks, including seven block assists from Eddinger. Mathews was also stellar at the net. She recorded three block solos and two block assists. Coming into the match Mathews had only tallied four block assists. Her five total blocks doubles her previous season mark. Eddinger's seven block assists bring her career total to 224. She is only 39 block assists from third place on Villanova's all-time list career list. 1993 graduate Becky Kulbago holds the third sport with 263 block assists.

With the victory Villanova improves to 8-13 overall, while Siena falls to 9-11.

The Wildcats are off until October 20 when they travel to Boston College to take Eagles at 8:00 PM.