Sept. 15, 2000

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. -- In the first match of the Ohio University volleyball Invitational, the Villanova Wildcats lost a hard-fought battle to the host, Ohio University. The Bobcats downed the Wildcats 3-1. Game scores were 15-12, 15-9, 12-15, 15-12. With the win, Ohio improves to 6-3, while Villanova falls 2-7.

Villanova was paced by the senior tandem of Ruth Ann Blankenheim (Lighthouse Point, Fla.) and Tina Zitterich (Ames, Iowa) who each tallied 16 kills. Blankenheim also added 16 digs. Senior Breen Eddinger (Tacoma, Wash.) added nine kills for the Wildcats, while freshman Jennifer Edwards (Valencia, Calif.) registered 47 assists.

Ohio University was led by senior outside hitter Amber Merrill who recorded a match-high 25 kills and Kris Whitfield who hit .410 with 18 kills. Michelle Gil tallied 62 assists for the Bobcats.

Villanova will conclude play in the Ohio University Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 16 with two matches. The Wildcats will take on SMU at 12:30 p.m. and the University Maryland Baltimore County at 3 p.m. In today's other match, SMU downed UMBC 3-1.