Nov. 28, 2007

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The top two teams in Pool A went 2-0 on opening day at the 28th Annual NAIA Volleyball National Championship.

No. 1 Fresno Pacific (Calif.) cruised through its matches on the opening day winning both in three game2.  The Sunbirds defeated SUNY Canton, 30-11, 30-3, 30-16 and Westminster (Utah), 30-20, 30-16, 30-14.  No. 10 Northwestern (Iowa) took five games to defeat Westminster (30-23, 28-30, 25-30, 30-24, 15-13) and then blanked SUNY Canton, 3-0 (30-12, 30-12, 30-7), in the night cap.

Julie De Jager (14) and Ellen Foerster (11) were the leaders in kills in match one for Fresno Pacific while Fabiana Leomil (12), Marin Canaday (10) and Thais Julio (10) all reached double digits in match two.  Tiffany Marinos led the Sunbirds in digs with 20 against SUNY Canton and 19 against Westminster.

Northwestern's Megan Meyer had 25 kills and 20 digs in the first match to lead the way for the Red Raiders.  She also had 11 kills in the night cap.  Rachel Gosselink was the team leader in assists with 103 on the day.

The Griffins were led by Alison Culp with 22 kills on the day including 13 against Northwestern.  Bree Riet recorded 43 digs against Northwestern and 18 against Fresno Pacific.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - Pool A Results
Fresno Pacific (Calif.) def. SUNY Canton, 3-0 (30-11, 30-3, 30-16)
Fresno Pacific def. Westminster (Utah), 3-0 (30-20, 30-16, 30-14)
Northwestern (Iowa) def. Westminster, 3-2 (30-23, 28-30, 25-30, 30-24, 15-13)
Northwestern vs. SUNY Canton, 3-0 (30-12, 30-12, 30-7)

Thursday, November 29, 2007 - Pool A Schedule (All Times CST)
Westminster vs. SUNY Canton, 11:15 a.m.
Fresno Pacific vs. Northwestern, 1:30 p.m.

Pool A Standings
Fresno Pacific: 2-0
Northwestern: 2-0
Westminster: 0-2
SUNY Canton: 0-2