Oct. 12, 2005

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Briefly...
In the middle of a four-match road swing, Loyola Marymount volleyball (12-5, 1-3 WCC) will make its most anticipated stop on Friday when the Lions take on West Coast Conference rival Pepperdine in the Waves' Firestone Fieldhouse. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., with Gametracker and live video available at www.LMULions.com.

The Weekend Update...
Friday night will feature a critical contest as the Lions trail the Waves by one match in the current conference standings. Both programs are just outside the nation's top-25, with Pepperdine earning six votes in the poll and LMU earning five. The two teams split last year's matches, each winning the contest on its home court. After Friday's match, the Lions will have completed more than a third of the conference schedule and would benefit from getting key wins on the road. Similar to the match-up with Saint Mary's, Friday's contest will feature some of the nation's best defense. Pepperdine ranks 15th in the nation in blocking, led by Sophia Milo's (26th) 1.47 blocks per game. The Lions rank eighth in the nation in digs per game, averaging 18.84.

Golden Diggers...
One of the stories of the season so far has been LMU's ability to prolong plays with some of the best defense in the nation. The Lions remain in the nation's top-10 in digs, averaging 18.84 per game. LMU has ranked as high as second in the nation in its digs per game average. Led by senior Michelle Look (245) and sophomores Christianna Reneau (243) and Heather Hughes (175), the Lions led the conference in the overall statistics. Look ranks fourth in the WCC, while Reneau holds the sixth spot. Both need just about 100 more digs to make LMU's all-time top-10 leaders listing in season digs. Look already holds the eighth spot on that list from her 368 season dig mark in 2004.

LMU Sweeps San Francisco...
It took LMU just three games to get its first WCC victory Saturday night at USF, as the Lions won 30-27, 30-21, 30-24. LMU, in the middle of a four-match road swing, was led by senior co-captain Dina DeBernardi who tallied 13 kills and four blocks, while hitting .414. After playing five straight matches against teams who had been ranked in the top-25 this season and back-to-back five-game contests, the Lions used the three-game sweep to earn their first conference victory. LMU has not lost in USF's War Memorial Gym since 1994. In addition to DeBernardi's 13 kills, sophomore Heather Hughes posted a statistical double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs. Setter K.C. Walsh hit .417 with six kills and 10 digs to go along with her 33 assists. Game three was the closest of the trio, with the score tied 12 times, including as late as 23-23. But the with a one point advantage at 25-24, the Lions rattled off five straight points to win game three. Walsh and DeBernardi combined on a block to earn match points for the Lions, before DeBernardi sealed the sweep with her 13th kill. Sophomore Christianna Reneau served the final rally for the Lions, and added 13 digs, four blocks, and five kills on the night. The Lions improved their hitting percentage in each game, finishing with a .333 clip in the final set. USF declined its team percentage in each game, and hit just .091 in game three.

Saint Mary's Edges LMU in Five...
Freshman Emily Day equaled a career-best 13 kills and three blocks to go along with a career-high 17 digs, as LMU pushed Saint Mary's to five games in WCC action. The Lions fell just two points shy in the final set, dropping the match 3-2 (30-27, 28-30, 30-24, 30-25, 15-13). The contest marked the second straight five-game match for the Lions, who pushed then-12th-ranked San Diego to five games at Gersten Pavilion. It was also the Lions' fifth straight match against an opponent who was ranked in the nation's top-25 during the 2005 season. Sophomore Heather Hughes also had an impressive evening, posting the Lions' first statistical triple-double of the season with 12 kills, 18 assists, and 13 digs. Senior Dina DeBernardi added 11 kills and four blocks. The two teams traded games, with the Gaels taking the close first set 30-27 and hanging onto the final game by just two points. The Lions hit their best in the fifth game, improving their team hitting percentage from .152 in the first game to .318 in the fifth. The match was to feature some of the nation's best defense, as Saint Mary's ranks second in the nation in blocks per game, while LMU ranks eighth in digs. The teams finished almost even in digs, but the Gaels out-blocked the Lions 18.5 to 10. Saint Mary's made 18 service errors on the match.

Hughes Named Enterprise Rent-A-Car/LMU Female Athlete of the Month...
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.) of LMU announced that Bobby Burling of men's soccer and Heather Hughes of volleyball have been selected as the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Student-Athletes of the Month. Burling and Hughes are honored for their athletic excellence throughout September. Hughes helped LMU volleyball equal its program-best 11-2 start after tallying 211 kills, 69 assists, 18 service aces, 146 digs, and 22 blocks in 54 games playing opposite the setter for the Lions. The sophomore finished the month ranking fifth in the WCC in kills per game (3.91) and eighth in service aces per game (0.33). She also averaged 1.28 assists, 2.70 digs, and 0.41 blocks per game. Hughes played her best in big matches, recording a career-high 29 kills to lead LMU to the win over ninth-ranked Hawaii. She took over setting duties for part of the match against 15th-ranked Santa Clara to post a season-high 27 assists. Hughes also equaled a career-high four service aces against Cal State Fullerton to lead the Lions to their second tournament title of the month, and a career-high 27 digs in the tournament championship game at Sacramento State. Each month during the academic calendar, the S.A.A.C. selects a male and female Enterprise Rent-A-Car Student-Athlete of the Month whose performance best represents the athletic traditions of LMU.

LMU Earns Top-20 Ranking...
After becoming the first unranked team to beat ninth-ranked Hawaii since 1997, LMU earned a ranking of 20th in the nation, Volleyball Magazine announced on September 27. LMU's effort against Hawaii led to its first national ranking this season.

LMU Tops #9 Hawaii...
Though local flood warnings kept the NCAA-leading attendance slightly lower than usual, over 6,500 fans were on hand at the Stan Sheriff Center for the five-game, nearly three-hour thriller between LMU and ninth-ranked Hawaii. Four Lions tallied double-digit kills, including Heather Hughes' career-best 29 to lead LMU to the 3-2 (30-26, 26-30, 31-39, 23-30, 15-13) win. Hughes' combination of 29 kills and 16 digs made her one of three Lions to post double-doubles. K.C. Walsh (62 assists, 17 digs) and Christianna Reneau (14 kills, 28 digs) joined her. Houseman was the fourth to record double-digit kills, finishing with 12 and hitting .385.

LMU Stops #9 Hawaii's Streak...
The Lions became the first unranked team in eight years to defeat UH. Hawaii had not lost to an unranked team since Pepperdine in 1997. Since that loss, the Rainbow Wahine had won 206 straight matches against unranked opponents.

11-2 Start Equals Program Best...
LMU's 11-2 start to the 2005 season equals the program's best start, as both the 1996 and 2003 squads also began with 11-2 records. The 1996 team went on to a perfect 14-0 WCC season and an NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance, while the 2003 squad advanced to the NCAA's second round.

LMU Wins Second Tourney Title of Season...
LMU went a perfect 3-0 at the Hawthorne Suites Cal State Fullerton Invitational to claim its second tournament title of the season after a 3-2 (27-30, 30-20, 16-30, 30-17, 15-12) win over the host Titans. It was the third five-game contest in as many matches for the Lions. LMU, who played 15 games in two days, defeated a Cal State Fullerton team that has been nearly unstoppable on its home court over the last two seasons. Following the thriller, senior Dina DeBernardi was named tournament MVP, while Heather Hughes and Krista Houseman joined her on the all-tournament team. Hughes helped secure the Saturday night victory with 21 kills and 11 digs. Christianna Reneau also added a double-double with 14 kills and 16 digs. Houseman hit .455 while tallying 12 kills. Defensive specialist Michelle Look contributed 27 digs. In the earlier 3:00 p.m. match, LMU topped San Jose State (5-6) in a five-game battle (25-30, 30-17, 30-19, 24-30, 15-13) that went down to the wire and ended in a two-point victory for the Lions. Krista Houseman (.528) and Dina DeBernardi (.500) collected 24 and 21 kills respectively, and Michelle Look dug 25 kill attempts in the victory.

DeBernardi Makes History in 3-2 Thriller...
LMU rallied to win two straight games at the end of a two hour, 15 minute thriller to earn the 3-2 (30-24, 26-30, 22-30, 30-19, 15-11) win over Southern Methodist University at the Hawthorne Suites Cal State Fullerton Invitational. Senior Dina DeBernardi made history in the LMU win, becoming the first Lion to reach 1,000 career kills and 300 career total blocks.DeBernardi's 16 kills placed her exactly at the 1,000 career mark and made her the eighth Lion to reach the milestone. She had passed the 300 total block mark last week. Hughes and Walsh finished with double-doubles, with Hughes tallying 20 kills and 16 digs and Walsh adding 50 assists and 10 digs. The freshman setter was two kills short of LMU's first triple-double this season.

Lions Runners-up at Sac State Tourney...
LMU dropped its first match of 2005 in the title match-up at the Sacramento State Invitational. The Lions fell 3-1 (30-27, 30-22, 28-30, 30-24) to host Sacramento State (5-5) at the Hornets Nest. LMU's Jania Motton and Heather Hughes were named to the all-tournament team for their weekend efforts. It was Motton's first action of 2005. Freshman setter K.C. Walsh (60 assists, 19 digs) and sophomores Christianna Reneau (22 kills, 20 digs) and Hughes (16 kills, 27 digs) each registered double-doubles on the night. Led by Reneau and Hughes, the Lions out-dug the Hornets 108 to 102.

The Transfer's Tourney...
LMU's Christianna Reneau led the Lions to a 3-0 start and the LMU Four Points Sheraton LAX Classic title, as she took home the MVP and all-tournament selections. The sophomore transfer recorded 37 kills, 40 digs, a .301 hitting percentage, one ace and a block over 10 games.

Lions Win Four Points Sheraton LAX Classic...
LMUwent 3-0 in tournament play and with a 3-1 (30-20, 28-30, 30-26, 30-22) win over Idaho (3-2), claimed the 2005 LMU Four Points Sheraton LAX Classic title in Gersten Pavilion. Christianna Reneau was named tournament MVP. Four Lions finished with double-digit kills in the championship tilt, as Heather Hughes had a match-high 16. She and Dina DeBernardi joined Reneau on the All-Tournament Team. Reneau, Hughes, and freshman setter K.C. Walsh each had double-doubles on the evening. The Lions held the Vandals to hit just .091 to win game one 30-20. But Idaho used a seven-point streak late in game two to come from behind and steal the 30-28 contest. With the match tied at one game apiece, the Lions rallied to win the final two games. LMU finished the match out-digging the Vandals 82 to 64.

Enter to Win A WCC Sports Pack...
The West Coast Conference is in its' 21st season of sponsoring women's volleyball. Over the last two decades, the WCC has showcased some of the most exciting collegiate volleyball in the country and has produced countless memorable moments and numerous All-Americans. Now that the WCC has tipped off its 21 season, we're asking fans to email us their favorite players/moments of the previous 20 years of West Coast Conference women's volleyball. Your email will enter you in a drawing to win a WCC Volleyball Sports Pack which includes: - An Official WCC Game Volleyball From Wilson - A WCC Shirt - A WCC Bag - Two Tickets To Watch Your Favorite WCC Volleyball Team The deadline to send along your favorite moment is October 7th. Email your favorite WCC volleyball moment/player to bwalker@westcoast.org for a chance to win. The list of memorable moments will be posted on the league website at the conclusion of the drawing.

The Stats on Strat...
Head Coach Steve Stratos completed his 15th campaign at the helm of the program with a 15th straight winning season. In his time at LMU, Stratos has led the Lions to nine 20-win seasons and 10 postseason appearances from 1997-2000. Stratos began 2005 with a career record of 305-142, the most victories in LMU volleyball history and second among current WCC coaches. In league action, he owns a mark of 150-60, good for a .714 winning percentage. Posting 150 career conference victories, Stratos again ranks second among current WCC coaches. Last season, Stratos reached the 300-win milestone with a 3-0 win over the University of Portland in Gersten Pavilion.

-GO LIONS-