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Sorenson, defense push Panthers past rival EKU
Marco Santana/ Staff Reporter
Issue date: 10/3/05 Section: Sports
Mistakes by the Colonels and a service ace by senior outside hitter Jessica Ackerman helped the Panthers take a 27-25 lead.
A service error by Colonels' senior defensive specialist Libby Schleisman gave the Panthers a 30-28 game two victory.
"(In game two) we stepped up our communication and everyone did their part," said Ackerman, who finished the match with 16 kills. "People started talking and our passing was great. That helped (sophomore setter) Maren (Crabtree) with her sets."
Crabtree, who holds the school record for assists in a match, established a season high with 58. She recorded more than 50 assists and 20 digs for the second time in her career. That feat has only been accomplished 11 times in school history.
"She is doing a great job of moving the ball around and keeping us from being predictable," said Bennett.
The third game was a game of two halves. In the first half, neither team could pull away as there were five lead changes and nine ties in the match.
But the second half was all Panthers. The Colonels could only record two kills and the Panthers had seven to pull off the 30-23 win in game three.
Eastern Kentucky was in good shape in game four by jumping out to a 12-7 lead but the Panthers continued their season-long trend of starting slow and finishing strong.
"We're really good at just being patient," said Sorenson. "We started getting our things run and then we put it all together."
Eastern Illinois rebounded with a 13-3 run that gave them a 20-15 lead that they wouldn't relinquish.
Junior outside hitter Mary Welch joined Crabtree in recording a double-double. Welch finished with 10 digs and 12 kills as she was one of four players with double digits in kills.
"This is the best we've played," said Crabtree. "Everybody contributed."
Senior libero Heather Redenbo led the defense with 26 digs and senior defensive specialist Aja Kohlbecker recorded 24. Senior outside hitter Megan Kennedy finished with 12 kills and was second on the team with a .357 hitting percentage.
A service error by Colonels' senior defensive specialist Libby Schleisman gave the Panthers a 30-28 game two victory.
"(In game two) we stepped up our communication and everyone did their part," said Ackerman, who finished the match with 16 kills. "People started talking and our passing was great. That helped (sophomore setter) Maren (Crabtree) with her sets."
Crabtree, who holds the school record for assists in a match, established a season high with 58. She recorded more than 50 assists and 20 digs for the second time in her career. That feat has only been accomplished 11 times in school history.
"She is doing a great job of moving the ball around and keeping us from being predictable," said Bennett.
The third game was a game of two halves. In the first half, neither team could pull away as there were five lead changes and nine ties in the match.
But the second half was all Panthers. The Colonels could only record two kills and the Panthers had seven to pull off the 30-23 win in game three.
Eastern Kentucky was in good shape in game four by jumping out to a 12-7 lead but the Panthers continued their season-long trend of starting slow and finishing strong.
"We're really good at just being patient," said Sorenson. "We started getting our things run and then we put it all together."
Eastern Illinois rebounded with a 13-3 run that gave them a 20-15 lead that they wouldn't relinquish.
Junior outside hitter Mary Welch joined Crabtree in recording a double-double. Welch finished with 10 digs and 12 kills as she was one of four players with double digits in kills.
"This is the best we've played," said Crabtree. "Everybody contributed."
Senior libero Heather Redenbo led the defense with 26 digs and senior defensive specialist Aja Kohlbecker recorded 24. Senior outside hitter Megan Kennedy finished with 12 kills and was second on the team with a .357 hitting percentage.
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