Villanova University

Sept. 7, 2000

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Wildcats Start 2000 Campaign With Victory

On the opening day of the 2000 Wildcat Classic, Villanova took to the floor against a stingy Rider University team. The Broncs gave Villanova a run, but were defeated by the scores of 15-3, 15-3, and 15-8. The Wildcats were lead by seniors Breen Eddinger (Tacoma, Wash./Bellarmine Prep), 13 kills, and Ruth Ann Blankenheim (Lighthouse Point, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons), 12 kills. The tandem accounted for 61 percent of the team's offense. True freshman, Jennifer Edwards (Valencia, Calif./Valencia) paced Villanova with 33 assists. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they dropped their next two matches of the tournament to American (15-7, 15-7, 15-7) and Akron (15-6, 15-6, 15-13). Villanova finished the tournament 1-2 and in third place. On Sunday, the Wildcats hosted Manhattan College and were defeated by the score of (15-12, 15-9, 15-5).

All-Tournament Selection

Villanova junior Libby Sybilrud (Atlanta, Ga./Marist School) was named to the 2000 Wildcat Classic All-Tournament team. Sybilrud crushed 20 kills in the weekend tournament including 10 against American, the tournament champion.

On The Road

Villanova takes to the road this weekend for the University of North Carolina-Charlotte Tournament. Their opponents will be Conference USA member Charlotte, Big South member Highpoint (N.C.), and Ohio Valley Conference member Eastern Illinois. The Panthers of Eastern Illinois enter the tournament 1-2, while Charlotte and Highpoint enter 0-3 and 0-2, respectively. Eastern Illinois' lone victory came over Marquette, while their losses were to Northern Illinois and McNeese State. The Panthers of Highpoint prepare to play after straight game defeats at the hands of Georgia Southern and Duke. Charlotte dropped three straight to Northern Arizona, Wake Forest, and Campbell. Villanova has never faced Highpoint or Eastern Illinois, but holds a 1-0 series lead on Charlotte.

F.Y.I.

The University of North Carolina-Charlotte Athletic Department made a name change shortening the school's title to Charlotte for its athletic teams.

Villanova's Ace

If leading the team in kills was not good enough for Breen Eddinger, the senior also leads the team in aces with nine. Eddinger is averaging .75 aces a game off her jump serve and will look to add to that total this weekend. Her serving has spurred several Villanova scoring runs.

Newcomers

Villanova Volleyball welcomed three new freshman for the 2000 season and each is beginning to make their mark. The first and foremost is setter Jennifer Edwards. Edwards has been thrust into the starting lineup right from high school. The Valenica, California native has adjusted well early and hopefully will continue to improve. Expect Villanova to improve their performances as Edwards adjusts to collegiate volleyball. Once she becomes more experienced and accustomed to her new enviroment her numbers will rise. The rise in numbers for Edwards means a more potent attack for the Wildcats. Kate Tucker (River Forest, Ill./Oak Park River) is another first-year student beginning to make an impact. Tucker broke into the starting lineup late in the Wildcat Classic and performed well. She is averaging 1.33 kills and 2.22 digs per game. The final freshman is Amanda Guralski (Wauwatosa, Wisc./Wauwatosa). Guralski started her first collegiate game in the season opener and played well. Look for Guralski to see time at outside hitter and setter if Edwards struggles.

Team Notes

Breen Eddinger currently stands fifth all-time in career block assists at Villanova. Her total of 190 is only 15 short of Amy Burke's (`94) 205. Eddinger also is within reach of fifth spot on the all-time career kills list. She currently has tallied 1106, fifth spot is held by Elizabeth Jones (`98) with 1328. Ruth Ann Blankenheim might also make her mark on the all-time lists. Blankenheim currently touts a career mark of 839 digs. She will have to eclipse 1251 total digs to pass Pam Clifford (`92). The Wildcats haven't been to the Big East Conference tournament since 1997-98. That same year Villanova made it to the NCAA Tournament only to be defeated in five games by Northern Illinois.