Sept. 1, 2001

Stats

TOLEDO, OH - Toledo (3-0) defeated Western Kentucky (2-1) by a 3-0 (30-28, 30-27, 30-25) margin at Savage Hall tonight to win the 2001 Clarion Hotel Westgate Rocket Volleyball Classic title. The victory gives the Rockets three straight wins to open the season for the first time since the 1997 campaign.

"This is a great win for our team," Head Coach Kent Miller said. "Our effort level stayed high the entire match, and we were able to make adjustments when we needed to. We're gaining confidence and now we're believing we can compete in every match."

Junior middle blocker Jessica Buck earned tournament MVP honors and paced UT to its victory over the Lady Toppers with team highs in kills (15), attack percentage (.357), blocks (5) and service aces (4).

"Jessica was outstanding the entire tournament for us," Miller said. "Her play at the net and her serving we're very important to our success."

Senior middle blocker Lindsey Kretzmann (13 kills), junior outside hitter Heidi Neumeister (12 kills) and junior outside hitter Bitsy Mayhle (11 kills) also recorded double-digit kill totals. Junior outside hitter Becky Radomski led the Rockets with 13 digs.

In addition to Buck, Kretzmann along with sophomore setter Carrie McCaw (47 assists) were named to the all-tournament team. Other members of the team were Cleveland State's Jamie Bouyer and Western Kentucky's Jessica Willard, Sara Noe and Tara Thomas.

The Rockets will head to Wichita, KS next weekend to compete in the Shocker Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 8. UT will face Texas-San Antonio at 1:00 p.m. EDT and host Wichita State at 8:00 p.m. EDT.