Sept. 24, 1999

Villanova, Pa. - The Villanova women's volleyball team hosted St. Peter's University tonight in non-conference action. The first day of the Villanova Volleyball Classic tournament went very well for the 'Cats as they swept the Peacocks three games to zero. The win upped Villanova's record to 6-7 in 1999.

Although the match was a sweep, it was still a hard-fought victory for the Wildcats. St. Peter's started game one with a 7-1 lead, but Villanova responded with a 14-6 run that ended when junior Ruth Ann Blankenheim (Lighthouse Pt., Fla./Card. Gibbons) spiked it home for the 15-13 triumph.

Game two proved to be almost as close as the first game, but this time it was Villanova who began the game with a big lead. Leading 6-1, the 'Cats saw the visitors climb back to tie the game at 11-11. Three straight points by 'Nova gave them some breathing room, and the home squad closed out the second stanza 15-12.

The third and final game of the night was nip and tuck the whole way. The game was knotted on several occasions, including 9-9, but the Wildcats never trailed in the game. With the score 14-11 in favor of Villanova, freshman Julie Wood (Metarie, La./Newman) served-up an ace to clinch the 15-11 victory.

Statistical leaders in the match were Villanova junior Breen Eddinger (Tacoma, Wash./Bellarmine Acad.) with 16 kills and senior setter Stacey Moline (Sagle, Idaho/Sandpoint) with a whopping 47 assists.

The Wildcats continue the Villanova Classic tomorrow with a 10:00 a.m. match versus Cornell University and a 3:00 p.m. contest against the Colgate Red Raiders.