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Volleyball Prepares to Do Battle at Ohio Invitational
Sept. 15, 2000 Getting Better Against the Best On September 12, Villanova hosted the defending National Champion Penn State Lady Lions. Currently ranked 3rd in the nation, Penn State defeated the Wildcats 3-0 (15-11, 15-4, 15-10). Despite the loss, Villanova was victorious in building confidence. Their confidence stems from a 1-1 record in their last two matches. In both matches Villanova played consistent and productive volleyball. During the Wildcat Classic at Villanova and the Charlotte Invitational at UNC-C, Villanova was plagued by costly unforced errors. More specifically, they hurt themselves with service and attack errors. In these tournaments, their opponents were able to take advantage of the Wildcats mistakes and turn them into points. In each of the last two matches Villanova minimized their errors and in turn, capatilized on the mistakes of their opponents. In the Penn State match, the Wildcats turned early Penn State errors into a commanding 9-5 lead in game one. The conversion of errors to points stymied Penn State, forcing them to refocus their attack. In their match against High Point (N.C.) Villanova capatilized on almost every opportunity that presented itself. The result was a pummelling and the Wildcats second victory. Scouting the Ohio Invitational Villanova will have to stay as focused as they were against Penn State to challenge this weekend. The Wildcats will be facing Southern Methodist, Maryland Baltimore County, and the host Ohio Bobcats. All three teams enter the tournament with records above .500. SMU currently stands at 5-2, Ohio at 5-3, and UMBC at 4-4. Statistically for Ohio they are led on the attack by Amber Merrill with 102 kills. Helping Merrill and the rest of the Bobcat attack is Michelle Gil, her 316 helpers is tops on the team. For UMBC, Villanova will have to be aware of Joanne Marshall and Heather Kerley. Their 100 kills and 268 assists respectively, lead the Retrievers in their 2000 campaign. SMU is paced by Kelly Klecka who has tallied 91 kills and Tara Hatfield's 255 assists. For Villanova to come home victorious they must continue to focus on eliminating unforced errors. In last weekend's tournament the Wildcats recorded 55 attack errors and 13 service errors. These mistakes will prove costly this weekend against three solid and consistent teams. In addition, their offensive production must stay or rise above its level of the last two matches, 35.5 kills and 31.5 assists per game. If this is going to occur the Wildcats will look to seniors Breen Eddinger (Tacoma, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) and Tina Zitterich (Ames, Iowa/Gilbert). The duo has tallied 17 kills a piece in the last two matches. Also in the mix for Villanova is sophomore setter Jennifer Edwards (Valencia, Calif./Valencia). Edwards is the Wildcasts leading assist-giver with 160. If Villanova's passing continues to improve so will Edward's setting, in turn creating a more powerful attack from the Wildcats. Moving on Up Senior Breen Eddinger has tallied 196 block assists in her four year career. That total currently places her fifth all-time. If Eddinger tallies 9 more block assists she will surpass 1994 `Nova graduate Amy Burke's 205. Pfiring Up Pfotzer In last weekend's Charlotte Invitational, senior Erin Pfotzer (Newark, Del./Christiana) was selected to the All-Tournament team for her 30 assist, 4 dig, 2 kill performance. Pfotzer didn't break into the starting lineup until the final match. In the two previous matches, Villanova looked out of sync. Their rudimentary play was consistent with their mindset on the court. Enter Pfotzer, whose feisty and electric attitude got the Wildcats going. As soon as Pfotzer entered the game Villanova's emotional level rose so did their play. Pfotzer's intensity and exceptional play earned the Wildcats their second victory and gave her the distinguished honor. On the Injured Reserve Dana Jones (Mt. Kisco, N.Y./Fox Lane) is day to day with a shoulder injury sustained in warm-ups against Penn State on Tuesday. Sophomore transfer Courtney Starbuck (Glen Allen, Va./Charleston Southern) is also on the sidelines with a shoulder injury. The extent of her injury has yet to be determined, as they are awaiting the result of the MRI. Junior Jackie Fugiel (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah) is also out indefinitely after sustaining a pulled abdominal muscle. Sophomore standout Erin Birunas is a medical redshirt after have back surgery this summer. She will return to actoin in 2001. The Big East In the 2000 Big East pre-season poll, Villanova was picked to finish 12th by the league's coaches. The Wildcats finished their 1999 campaign 9-21 overall and 0-11 in the Big East. As of the 11th of September, the Wildcats were in 10th place in the conference. Eddinger currently stands seventh overalli in the conference in service aces with 11.
Statistical Leaders (Through Sept, 12th)
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