Sept. 22, 2005
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Briefly...
Honolulu, Hawaii is the last stop on the Lions' six-match road swing, and LMU volleyball will face the ninth-ranked University of Hawaii there both Friday and Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center. The home court of the Rainbow Wahine, the Stan Sheriff Center has averaged nearly 7,400 fans a match this season, and the Lions will look to turn heads as they begin a run of five straight matches against top-25 opponents.
Follow The Action Hawaiian Style...
Honolulu's KFVE will televise both matches this weekend and Lion fans can watch the broadcasts live over the Internet at www.hawaiiantelmedia.com for a fee. In addition, the local Sports Radio will broadcast Friday's match and feature Saturday match updates at www.sportsradio1420.com. The latest match updates, stats, and photos will also be available at Hawaiian Lions page at www.LMULions.com.
LMU vs. Hawaii All-Time Series...
Though ninth-ranked Hawaii leads the all-time series with the Lions 5-2, LMU's last win over the Rainbow Wahine came when it counted most. The Lions defeated Hawaii 3-0 in the 1997 NCAA First Round, bouncing the Rainbow Wahine from the NCAAs in the first round for just the second time in their program history. It was the second time that season that the Lions had defeated Hawaii. UH won the last meeting between the two teams with a 3-0 win in 2003.
Road Trip...
The Lions have not played at home in Gersten Pavilion since sweeping San Diego State on September 13 and will play their final two matches of their six-match road swing this weekend at Hawaii. The tough match-up will prepare the Lions for the return home, where they will begin West Coast Conference play hosting No. 18 Santa Clara on Friday and No. 14 San Diego on Saturday.
Lions 10-1 After Sweep of CSUN...
LMU improved to 10-1 with a 3-0 (30-20, 30-24, 30-27) sweep of Cal State Northridge (3-8) Tuesday evening at the Matadome. Sophomore Heather Hughes posted double-double numbers with 10 kills and 12 digs while hitting .409. Houseman finished with 11 kills and a .409 hitting percentage.
Lions Earning Votes in the Top-25 Poll...
With seven opponents from the Lions' 2005 schedule being ranked in the top-25 at some point this season, LMU is also earning votes in the poll.
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 (5-6) 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...
Loyola Marymount volleyball went 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 Saturday evening in Gersten Pavilion. Sophomore transfer Christianna Reneau was named tournament MVP, after leading the Lions to the championship to kick-off the 2005 LMU season. Four Lions finished with double-digit kills in the championship tilt, as Heather Hughes had a match-high 16. She and senior Dina Debernardi joined Reneau on the All-Tournament Team. Reneau, Hughes, and freshman setter K.C. Walsh each had double-doubles on the evening as well. The Lions held the Vandals to just a .091 team hitting percentage 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.
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.
