Oct. 19, 2003

Box Score

Toledo, OH - Toledo (8-13, 4-5 MAC) registered a 3-0 (32-30, 30-19, 32-30) victory this afternoon over Northern Illinois (14-7, 3-5 MAC) at Savage Hall. The triumph gives the Rockets three wins in their last four outings and was UT's third straight home victory.

Junior outside hitter Rachel Mohler led the Rockets with 18 points (16 kills and two aces) followed by sophomore middle blocker Corrie Magnus with 13 points (12 kills and two block assists) and freshman outside hitter Kate Bean with 12.5 points (11 kills, one ace and one block assist). Magnus led UT with a .500 attack percentage.

"Rachel played probably her best match of the season for us today," UT Head Coach Kent Miller said. "She did an excellent job playing all the way around and came up with eight digs and some big plays that kept rallies going. She also was very effective hitting and came up with some important kills at critical times."

Miller also said that senior Carrie McCaw produced one of her best all-around matches as she notched 41 assists to go along with six digs, three kills and two blocks.

"Carrie played great today," Miller said. "She did a tremendous job setting and running our offense and also performed well as a blocker and on defense."

Freshman libero Lora Sarich led the Rockets on the defensive end with 13 digs, while sophomore middle blocker Kelsey Culver and sophomore Chelsey Poquette paced UT with five total blocks apiece.

Toledo trailed in the first game by a 26-19 margin but Mohler served seven straight points to even the contest. NIU then tallied two points before the Rockets notched three of their own with the final one coming on a Culver ace. The two teams then traded points before a Magnus kills ended the game.

"Northern Illinois was doing some very nice things early in the match, but some adjustments we made with our blocking and defense really helped," Miller said. "We're a strong serving and defensive team and we were able to get on a roll. This was a very good win for us and it keeps us right in the thick of things in the West Division."

Toledo carried its momentum into the second game and a 12-2 run gave the Rockets a 25-14 lead en route to the win. In the third game, UT was in control throughout before the Huskies rallied to tie the game at 26 apiece. The two teams then traded points before a Mohler ace and a Bean kill gave the Rockets the victory.

The Rockets return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 21 with a non-conference match at Cleveland State. UT will return to MAC play on Friday, Oct. 24 at Akron before returning home on Sunday, Oct. 26 to face Central Michigan.