Aug. 31, 2002

Final Stats

TOLEDO, OH - Toledo (3-0) capped off its season-opening weekend with a 3-0 (30-27, 30-23, 30-21) victory over Chattanooga (0-3) to capture the Eastern Illinois' Pepsi/Super 8 Invitational. The Rockets also opened last season with a tournament win by capturing its own Clarion Hotel Westgate Rocket Volleyball Classic.

Seniors Jessica Buck (14 kills) and Heidi Neumeister (13 kills) led UT offensively in the match as well as throughout the tournament. Also keying the Rockets' success was strong serving as UT notched 37 aces in its three matches.

"We served aggressively and attacked the ball well all weekend," Head Coach Kent Miller said. "It's great to open the season with three wins with two of them coming against teams which competed in last year's NCAA Tournament We're really playing with a lot of cohesiveness and that's good to see."

Sophomore Mollie Murphy paced the Rockets' defensive efforts in the libero role with a match-high 17 digs, while senior Becky Radomski and sophomore Rachel Mohler led the way with three aces apieces.

In Game 1, the two teams were tied at 26-26 until Radomski's two aces and senior Natalie Mash's kill gave the Rockets the win.

In Game 2, Toledo went on a 9-5 run to clinch the game after the Mocs had scored six straight points to close to within 21-18.

In Game 3, the Rockets utilized an 8-1 run after the contest was tied at 11-11 to earn the win.

UT returns to action next weekend when it hosts the second annual Clarion Hotel Westgate Rocket Volleyball Classic at Savage Hall on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6-7.