Volleyball Finishes Third at SMS/Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational
10/15/2000 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Volleyball Finishes Third at SMS/Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational
10/15/2000
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh volleyball team finished third in the SMS/Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational at Southwest Missouri State this past weekend. The Panthers posted a win over Belmont (3-0), but suffered setbacks to Wichita State (3-1) and the host Bears (3-1).
One bright spot for the Panthers was the play of redshirt senior Jennifer Nickels (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield North) who earned all-tournament team honors. Nickels averaged 2.73 kills, 1.45 blocks and 1.45 digs throughout the weekend.
The Panthers opened the tournament with a 3-0 sweep over Belmont on Oct. 13. Pittsburgh dominated the match from the outset. After taking a 15-7 win in game one, the Panthers completed the victory with a 15-5 and 15-2 win in games two and three, respectively.
Senior Marcia Thiesen (Chatham, Ontario/John MacGregor) recorded her 11th double-double of the season with 10 kills and 10 digs and fellow senior Stacy Renick (Eagan, Minn./Eagan) led Pittsburgh with a match-high 13 kills and six aces.
In their second match of the tournament, the Panthers dropped a 3-1 loss to Wichita State. The Shockers took the first two games, 15-11 and 15-10. The Panthers rallied to a 15-8 win in game three, but Wichita State won the fourth game, 15-13 to take the match.
Despite the loss, three Panthers posted double-doubles. Thiesen had 20 kills and 14 digs, while Renick posted 19 kills and 13 digs. Nickels also performed well with 14 kills and five block assists. As a team, the Panthers combined for 14 blocks, and junior Heather Haff (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) chipped in two solo blocks and six block assists.
Pittsburgh closed out the tournament with a 3-1 loss to host Southwest Missouri State. After dropping game one, 15-7, the Panthers battled to a 16-14 win in game two. Southwest Missouri State, however, went on to win 15-3 and 15-13 in the final two games.
Renick impressed with 26 kills and 28 digs in the match, while Thiesen chipped in another 20 kills and 14 digs. Freshman right side Wendy Hatlestad (Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area) recorded a career-high 18 kills on the day with four block assists. Sophomore setter Carrie Norris (Fostoria, Ohio/Hopewell-Loudon) had a career-high 21 digs to go along with 66 assists.
The Panthers' record stands at 16-8 overall and 2-2 in Big East Conference play. Pittsburgh will resume conference play this weekend when it hosts Connecticut Fri., Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. and St. John's Sun., Oct. 22 at 2 p.m.
