Saturday, November 7, 2009

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. - The Westminster College volleyball team's 2009 season and two-year reign as Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) champion came to an end late Friday night as the No. 3-seeded Titans lost to No. 2 Thiel, 3-1 (23-25, 25-12, 25-21, 25-20), in the semifinal round of the PAC tournament hosted by Thomas More College.

Senior outside hitter Sam Botzum (Medina, Ohio/Highland) and sophomore middle blocker Lindsay Speidel (Ravenna, Ohio/Southeast) led Westminster by posting 14 kills apiece, while freshman defensive specialist Tara Incerpi (Carrollton, Ohio/Minerva) bumped up a match-high 31 digs.

Sophomore setter Jessie Szakacs (Youngstown, Ohio/Liberty) handed out a team-high 33 assists, while freshman outside hitter Alli Ward (Salem, Ohio/Salem) posted five blocks.

For Thiel, four players posted double-digit kill totals, led by freshman outside hitter Alyssa Chine with 16 kills, while adding 22 digs. Freshman Megg Andrews added 12 kills, while junior setter Madison Chylik set up 48 assists and junior Danielle Dwyer recorded a team-high 27 digs.

Westminster finishes its season with a 13-23 record. Thiel (23-10) moves on to Saturday afternoon's final at No. 1 seed and host Thomas More (27-10).

About Westminster College...
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is a top tier liberal arts college and a national leader in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Guide to America's Best Colleges. Westminster ranked third among liberal arts colleges in social mobility, according to the Washington Monthly College Guide, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 371 Colleges" and "Best in the Northeast" by The Princeton Review, and is named to the President's Honor Roll for excellence in service learning.

Nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty while choosing from 41 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa., campus.