Sept. 12, 2004
Los Angeles, Calif. - Loyola Marymount volleyball (6-1) claimed the 2004 LMU Furama Hotel Invitational Saturday night by defeating Washington State (1-6) in Gersten Pavilion 26-30, 30-23, 30-21, 30-22. The Lions fought to win three straight games after WSU took game one.
Setter Nicole Oehlman was named tournament MVP after her 50 assist, seven kill performance Saturday night. She also led the Lion offense to a .315 team attack percentage, including a .536 third game.
Junior Dina DeBernardi and freshman Heather Hughes also represented LMU on the all-tournament team. Jennifer Todd (WSU), Kelly Rosin (WSU), Val Tipiana (Miami), and Rachel Torblaa (Cincinnati) rounded out the all-tournament selections.
Four Lions registered double-digit kills for the second straight night, with DeBernardi and Hughes leading the way with 14 each. Hughes had her second career double-double, adding 10 digs. Junior Michelle Look posted a game-high 18 digs.
Oehlman, who entered the week among West Coast Conference leaders in service aces, posted back-to-back aces early in game one, leading LMU to the 14-12 lead. But Washington State out-hit LMU .359 to .191 in the first game, en route to the 30-26 win.
The Lions returned the favor in the second game, holding the Cougars to just a .021 average and out-blocking WSU 5.0 to 1.0. Kelli Nerison earned game point for the Lions with her fourth kill of the night, while Krista Houseman put the exclamation point on the 30-23 win with a hard shot of her own.
LMU hit a game-high .536 in game three, as back-to-back service aces by Houseman sealed the game win 30-21.
Jody Carlson served for three straight points in the fourth game, while Hughes and DeBernardi posted kills and DeBernardi and Oehlman teamed up for a block to give the Lions a 27-17 advantage. Nerison ended the game with her 10th kill of the night, as LMU won three straight to avenge the game one loss. Nerison finished the match hitting a game-high .529.
Washington State, led by Kelly Rosin's 19 kills and 10 digs, secured the tournament's second place finish by winning the first game. That game one win broke the three-way tie for second between WSU, Miami, and Cincinnati, who all finished the weekend 1-2.
The Lions will play one more contest this week in Gersten Pavilion before heading out on a seven-match road swing. LMU and UC Riverside square off on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Fans can follow the game live on the Lions' Audio Network and the Gametracker, both available at www.LMULions.com.
-GO LIONS-
