UNA Volleyball - 2006 Season

LIONS TO PLAY FOR TITLE ON SATURDAY

VOLLEYBALL TEAM DOWNS WEST TEXAS A&M 3-0, ADVANCES TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

PENSACOLA, Fla., - For the second straight day, the University of North Alabama volleyball team used a 3-0 sweep to extend its season, this time, to the national championship match. The Lions defeated No. 14 West Texas A&M Friday evening in the semi-finals of the NCAA Division II National Championships at the UWF Field House in Pensacola, Fla.

The 30-20, 30-19, 30-22 victory improves the Lions’ record to 35-5 on the season and sets up a championship date against No. 1 Tampa. The title match will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, and feature live stats and live video at roarlions.com.

“Obviously, we are very excited,” said UNA head coach Stephanie Radecki.
“The biggest strategy we have right now is to play great defense. I think that frustrated them (WTAM). Our team has worked really hard this year. The senior have done a lot to keep the team focused.”

In the first game, neither team led by more than a single point until the Lions took an 11-9 advantage on WTAM attack error. UNA extended its lead to 23-17 before dominating down the stretch to come away with the 30-20 victory. A service ace by Jessica Hansen ended the game and put the Lions on top 1-0 in the match.

After trailing early in the second game, UNA took its first lead at 7-6 and never looked back. An 11-2 run put the Lions in control en route to the 30-19 win.

WTAM never led in the third contest. A 3-3 tie was the last time the two teams were even as the Lions raced out to a 16-10 lead. The Lady Buffalos cut the deficit to three at 18-15, but could get no closer. A block by Dee Ayres and Nilcia Oliveira ended the match and put UNA within one win of a national championship.

Oliveira led the offensive charge for the Lions. The junior from Joao, Brazil, had a match-high 14 kills and 15 digs. She also added three of the team’s 12 service aces.

“We really worked hard on our serving last year and it has paid off for us this season,” Radecki added. “Nilcia does a great job for us. She did not play defense for us early in the year, but worked her way into the mix. I think getting the opportunity to stay in the rotation helps her get into a flow.”

Senior middle blocker Dee Ayres added 11 kills for the Lions, while Laura Bellinger added 43 assists and paced an offensive attack that hit .322 as a team. Senior libero Ashley Hill continued to produce solid defensive statistics with 22 digs on the night.

The Lions will now take on a No. 1-ranked team for the third time this season. UNA dropped an 0-3 decision to then-top-ranked Grand Valley State on Sept. 1, before knocked of top-ranked Truman State in the semi-finals of the South Central Region Tournament last weekend. The Lions have won 28 consecutive matches.

The Spartans are 34-1 on the season with a 17-match winning streak.

Match 39 - West Texas A&M (NCAA Tournament)- Printable Match Statistics

Proud Member of the
Gulf South Conference &
National Collegiate Athletic Association

Visit The University of North Alabama Website