LEXINGTON, Va. -- The Washington and Lee women's volleyball team defeated Randolph-Macon by a score of 30-28, 30-27, 30-11 in the finals of the 2006 ODAC Championship to win its sixth-consecutive conference title on Saturday in the Warner Center.
The Generals advanced to the finals after a 30-19, 30-21, 30-24 win over fifth-seeded Virginia Wesleyan in the morning semifinal match.
In the championship match, W&L was led by sophomore right side Jessica Ulrich (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg), who tallied eight kills and five blocks and was named Tournament MVP. Sophomore outside hitter Laura Maurer (Sparta, N.J./Pope John XXIII) tallied a team-high 12 kills and was named to the All-Tournament team. Senior outside hitter Ashley Hurt (Altamonte Springs, Fla./Trinity Prep) recorded 11 kills and junior right side Jess Hudock (Tampa, Fla./Holy Names) added 14 digs and three service aces. Freshman setter Kristi Stevens (Overland Park, Kan./Shawnee Mission South) registered 21 assists.
In the semifinal win, the Generals were led by Ulrich, who racked up 14 kills, and Maurer, who totaled 12 kills and 15 digs. Stevens added a team-high 24 assists and senior libero Lauren Edmonson (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) posted 22 digs and also represented W&L on the All-Tournament team. Freshman middle blocker Rachael Phillips (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Prep) recorded seven blocks.
The Generals received the ODAC's automatic bid to the 2006 NCAA Tournament and will find out on Monday morning who they will face in the opening round.
QUARTERFINALS (Oct. 31):
#1 Washington and Lee d. #8 Randolph-Macon Woman's, 30-25, 30-17, 30-15
#5 Virginia Wesleyan d. #4 Roanoke, 30-19, 30-26, 30-28
#3 Bridgewater d. #6 Lynchburg, 30-19, 30-24, 30-20
#2 Randolph-Macon d. #7 Emory & Henry, 30-18, 30-21, 30-18
SEMIFINALS (Nov. 4):
#1 Washington and Lee d. #5 Virginia Wesleyan, 30-19, 30-21, 30-24
#2 Randolph-Macon d. #3 Bridgewater, 30-24, 30-25, 26-30, 16-30, 15-13
FINALS (Nov. 4):
#1 Washington and Lee d. #2 Randolph-Macon 30-28, 30-27, 30-11
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM:
Candice Doloresco, Virginia Wesleyan
Tori Ruckman, Bridgewater
Maggie McDearmon, Randolph-Macon
Yana, Kanoukoeva, Randolph-Macon
Lauren Edmonson, Washington and Lee
Laura Maurer, Washington and Lee
Jess Ulrich, Washington and Lee (MVP)
-- GENERALS --
