University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Volleyball Scores Wins Over Duquesne, West Virginia
11/2/1998 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Volleyball Scores Wins Over Duquesne, West Virginia
11/2/1998
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Panther volleyball team finished the week with two wins, defeating Duquesne and West Virginia at Fitzgerald Field House. The victories improve the Panthers' record to 13-11 overall and 3-4 in the Big East.
Most recently, Pittsburgh tapped Big East-foe West Virginia, 3-2, at Fitzgerald Field House, Oct. 28.
The Panthers opened the match with a 15-11 win in the first game with .300 hitting, compared to the Mountaineers .075. West Virginia quickly rallied with a 6-0 lead in the second game and limited the Panthers to negative hitting to win the game, 15-5. The Panthers recovered with a 15-10 win in game three, but West Virginia took game four, 15-13. Pittsburgh prevailed in the fifth game, using .227 hitting for the 15- 10 win and match victory.
Pittsburgh junior Paula Zemrowski (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Central) and sophomore Lisa Riggle (Gillette, Wyo./Campbell County) led the Panthers and recorded career-high marks in the win. Zemrowski had a career and game-high 24 kills, and added five digs and four block assists, while Riggle registered a career-high 68 assists and added nine digs.
Juniors Jen Nickels (Springfield, Ohio) and Melissa Alpers (Milford, Mass./Milford) also helped lead the Panthers attack. Alpers recorded a double-double performance in the match with 14 kills and 11 digs, and added three aces and three block assists. Nickels was strong on both offensively and defensively, recording a career-high 12 kills and seven block assists.
The Panthers posted a 3-1 win over crosstown-rival Duquesne, Oct. 28 at Fitzgerald Field House.
Pittsburgh grabbed an early lead in the match, winning a 15-4 decision in game one. The Dukes, however, shut down the Panthers' offense in the second game and posted a 15-11 victory. Pittsburgh regained its momentum, registering wins in games three and four with scores of 15-6 and 15-10, respectively.
The Panthers' hit at a .331 clip on 56 kills, 16 errors and 121 attempts, compared to Duquesne's .147 hitting percentage (55 kills, 33 errors, 150 attempts) for the match.
For the Panthers, Alpers and sophomore Marcia Thiesen (Chatham, Ontario, Canada/ John MacGregor) led the team's offense with 15 and 14 kills, respectively. Alpers also added 12 digs, two aces and two assists.
Also leading the Panthers' attack were Zemrowski and Jenna Birkel (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Pius X) with nine kills apiece. Zemrowski also added seven digs, one ace, two solo blocks and two block assists.
Riggle also performed well, recording 50 assists, seven digs, two aces and one kill.
The Panthers return to action next weekend when they compete in three road contests. Pittsburgh will face Boston College, Nov. 6, Dartmouth, Nov. 7 and Providence, Nov. 8.
