Volleyball

BEREA, OHIO -- The 12th-ranked Baldwin-Wallace College volleyball team went 0-2 versus nationally ranked Division II opponents in the Walsh University Triangular meet.  They were first defeated by #25 Cornerstone University (Mich.), 30-20, 26-30, 26-30, 30-16 and 8-15 and then lost to #11 Walsh University, 30-27, 17-30, 16-30 and 22-30.  The Yellow Jackets have a regular season record of 26-6 heading into the Ohio Athletic Conference Championship tournament next week.

Against Cornerstone the Yellow Jackets were led offensively on the front row by junior two-time All-OAC middle hitter Cassie Palmer (Greenwich/ South Central).  Palmer had a team high 25 kills and four solo blocks in the effort.  Sophomore middle hitter Laura Leach (Norwalk Senior) and junior outside hitter Emily Bowen (Tiffin/ Columbian), had 14 kills each.  Helping the offense was junior All-OAC setter Kerry Helm (Luckey/ Eastwood) with 63 set assists.

Defensively, senior All-OAC defensive specialist/ libero Kate Kost (Fairview Park) led the team with 26 digs.  Emily Bowen also added 20 digs.

Against Walsh, Palmer once again led the offense with 11 kills.  Helm contributed 39 set assists.  Senior inside hitter Sarah Gordon (Wooster/Senior) led the defense with 18 digs.

Next Tuesday, B-W will open 2002 OAC Tournament action when they host a yet to be determined opponent at the Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. The OAC Final Four will be at top-seeded Ohio Northern University on Friday and Saturday. If B-W wins its first round game, it will play its semifinal game at ONU at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Saturday's championship match is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on B-W Sports Information, please call the SID Office at (440) 826-2327, FAX us at (440) 826-2329 or e-mail SID Kevin Ruple at kruple@bw.edu.  To contact Head Volleyball Coach Vicki Brault, please call her at (440) 826-3254, FAX her at (440) 826-2192 or e-mail her at vbrault@bw.edu.