Gonzaga University
7-6
Northern Arizona University
1-7
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GONZAGA BULLDOGS | 30 | 21 | 23 | 30 | 15 | 3 |
| NORTHERN ARIZONA | 16 | 30 | 30 | 21 | 11 | 2 |
Volleyball Slides Past Northern Arizona
9/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 17, 2005
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - In a reversal of fortune from Friday night's loss to a bigger Baylor University squad, Gonzaga University had the size advantage at the net on Saturday morning as they pulled out a five game win over host Northern Arizona University at the Fiesta Bowl Classic. The Bulldogs won the battle at the nets with a commanding 23-10 total block advantage as they escaped 30-16, 21-30, 23-30, 30-21, 15-11.
The first four games saw the winning team quickly jump out and control the tempo of the each game with each of the first four games decided by at least seven points. Gonzaga opened the match hitting .632 in the first game with 13 kills on 19 attacks with one error. The Bulldogs would hit .266 for the game as setter Heather Dunn passed out 49 assists.
Gonzaga's offense had to be efficient on the afternoon as they had only 54 kills in the five-game win. Northern Arizona was more effective on the attack finishing with 71 kills as Jenn Wogan had 36 assists for the Lumberjacks. The size difference proved to be in GU's favor as they picked up 13 team blocks for points and forced 35 attacking errors by NAU as the Lumberjacks had to swing around Bulldog blockers.
With the match knotted at two games each, Gonzaga saved its best hitting performance for last as they hit .700 in 15-11 game five win. Gonzaga hammered down 7 kills on 10 attacks with no errors. Senior Lacey Bell helped break open a 7-7 game five tie with two consecutive kills followed by a Megan Thompson service ace to give GU a 10-7 lead. Becky Jones added two more kills and Briawna Mueller closed the door with a kill to hand Gonzaga the win.
Bell, Jones and Mueller all finished hitting above .300 for the match with Bell leading the squad with 17 kills and a .387 percentage. Jones added 12 kills with a .360 mark while Mueller was in with 8 kills and a .368 clip. Freshman Michelle Boevers also reached double digit kills for GU with 11. One surprise performance for Gonzaga was redshirt sophomore Kelly Steinhaus who had a career-high 4 kills and 6 block assists playing in front of her hometown crowd.
Ellie Butterfield led all players with 22 kills for NAU while Colleen Flooker chipped in with 10 kills and a .471 attack percentage.
Gonzaga faces UTEP in their last game of the tournament later Saturday afternoon while NAU hosts Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl Classic finale.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
