Oct. 2, 2007

Final Stats

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Despite winning the first game of the match, Bethune-Cookman University was unable to hold off a powerful University of North Florida charge as the Wildcats fell for the second time this year to the Ospreys by a count of 3-1. UNF took the match (28-30, 30-23, 30-21, and 30-22) in just the second four-game match of the year for B-CU.

Bethune-Cookman (3-8) was unable to overcome 23 errors in the match, and hit just 20 percent (.201) overall to fall to their visitors from the north end of Florida.

UNF (4-14) hit a whopping .357 in the match--the second-highest percentage given up by the Wildcats all season long.

B-CU took the first game of the match behind a powerful performance from Danielle Goodrum and senior Marlene Holmes. The Wildcats trailed by as many as seven in the first game, but rallied with a 10-5 run towards the end to earn the hard-fought win. That came following a 3-1 rally by the `Cats to end the game after tying the score at 27--while falling behind 17-10 midway through the contest.

In the second game, the Ospreys of UNF just rode their forces of Claire Yonutas and Bary Rasmussen as the two student-athletes accounted for seven kills down the stretch for the victory. B-CU did take a brief 13-12 lead when Keisha Vicks struck down one of her five kills on the night. However, the Ospreys were just too much in the end to race away for the win.

The third game supplied much of the same, except for the fact that B-CU's defensive prowess was anchored by freshman Alyse Guzman on her way to a match-high 25 digs on the night. It was also a season-high for the freshman setter/defensive specialist from Vacaville, Calif. The Ospreys were too much, yet again, as they hit .475 as a team in the game.

The fourth game was a challenge for the Wildcats as they got a great match from freshman setter Julie Gibson with 42 assists to help keep the `Cats in it until the end. Gibson hooked up with Chelle Ticeson and Goodrum for kills, as well as Ticeson continuing her blocks streak with three (3) on the night.

But, ultimately, the mistake-free hitting of UNF was too much in the final game as the Ospreys closed out the match with the win on a .419 hitting mark. They combined for a season-high .357 as a team, while B-CU hit just .201 on the night.

Five (5) student-athletes led the way for the Ospreys in the kills' category, led by Maegan Weisert with a match-high 21 kills. Behind her were Rasmussen (19), Kaley Read (15), Sturch (14) and Yonutas (11). The defensive efforts were sparked by Weisert's 18 digs to complete one of two double-doubles for UNF.

Yonutas also collected 11 digs for a double-double effort of her own. Madeline Belvin set-up the offense with a season-high 62 assists for UNF.

B-CU was sparked by Goodrum's 17 kills and eight digs. She also pitched in two blocks (one solo) and one service ace. Holmes finished the night with 12 kills for the Wildcats while also chipping in with nine digs and two assists.

Ticeson added 10 kills and two digs for the `Cats.

The Wildcats step back onto the court next Tuesday when they travel west to Orlando for a match against The Citadel on the campus of the University of Central Florida. For directions to UCF Arena, please log on to the UCF athletic website at www.UCFathletics.com.