Tigers finish 4-0 at Homestead Classic
Posted: Monday, September 22, 2008
#23 Olivet Nazarene - 26-25-25
Michigan-Dearborn - 24-11-21
Boxscore
#23 Olivet Nazarene - 25-25-25
Saint Ambrose (Iowa) - 14-18-14
Boxscore
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. - Olivet Nazarene University wrapped up the Homestead Classic with a perfect 4-0 record, sweeping both matches on Saturday.
The first match of the day against the University of Michigan-Dearborn proved to be the greatest test on the weekend as a sluggish Tiger defense and nine service errors would keep the scores close in the first and third sets. The Tigers defeated Michigan-Dearborn 26-24, 25-11, 25-21.
The ONU offense totaled 49 kills in the match, led by the tandem of Michelle McFadden (Lincoln, Ill.) and Terese Byrne (Downers Grove, Ill.). McFadden and Byrne recorded 16 kills and 14 kills, respectively. Stephanie Smith (Bourbonnais, Ill.) registered eight kills, while Tara Schmidt (Olathe, Kan.) posted six kills. Erin Sikora (Elgin, Ill.) dished out a match-high 41 assists.
Three players posted double-figure digs, led by DeeAnn Garvin’s (Bloomington, Ind.) 15 digs. Smith collected 13 digs and Sikora added ten. Lauren Comfort (Joliet, Ill.) also turned in a solid performance with two aces and seven digs.
In their final match of the tournament, the Tigers soundly defeated Saint Ambrose University (Iowa) (25-14, 25-18, 25-14) as Terese Byrne, McFadden and Sikora were named to the all-tournament team.
The Tigers’ offensive blitz proved too much for the Fighting Bees as Sikora directed the attack to a blistering .358 hitting percentage and collected 40 assists along the way. Sara Byrne (Downers Gove, Ill.) had her finest match of the weekend with a team-high 13 kills and three blocks.
The tandem of McFadden and Terese Byrne again overpowered the competition, as the two combined for 19 kills and four blocks. Smith added nine of her own kills to go along with 11 digs.
Comfort and Garvin anchored the backcourt with 12 and ten digs, respectively. Comfort also contributed two aces. Danielle Seufert (Lansing, Ill.) came off the bench to add two aces and 17 service points.
Homestead Classic All-Tournament Team
Terese Byrne – Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)
Carlie Douglas – Illinois Tech
Kait Gallagher – Saint Ambrose (Iowa)
Melinda Hegeman – Trinity Christian (Ill.)
Katelyn Lilienthal – Saint Ambrose (Iowa)
Michelle McFadden – Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)
Courtney Provencher – Michigan-Dearborn
Michelle Schurman – Trinity Christian (Ill.)
Erin Sikora – Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)
The Tigers finished the week 5-0 and now stand 13-7 overall. ONU has won seven consecutive matches and 11 of its past 12, losing only to No. 14 Lindenwood University (Mo.). The Tigers return to action Tuesday, Sept. 23, when they host Cardinal Stritch University (Wis.) at 7 p.m.
