Carroll’s defense leads to win over Tech

11-13-09

LEWISTON, Idaho – Defense and execution meant the difference for Carroll College as it overcame Montana Tech in three sets on Friday night at the Holiday Inn Express Frontier Conference Volleyball Tournament. The Saints bested the Orediggers 25-23, 25-20, 25-18.

The tournament featured four sweeps and no upsets on the first day. With four teams ousted and four teams remaining, the semifinals on Saturday will begin with the No. 1 seed Great Falls facing No. 4 Rocky Mountain at 11 a.m., followed by No. 2 Lewis-Clark State and No. 3 Carroll at 1 p.m. The winner of these two matches will square off for the tournament title and an automatic berth to nationals on Saturday at 7 p.m.

“Carroll definitely played better than us tonight,” said Tech coach Marilyn Tobin. “They deserved to win.”

With neither team hitting particularly well, the Saints used an 8-3 advantage in service aces and a 54-48 edge in digs to come out on top.

“I think we came out tough,” said Carroll coach Maureen Boyle. “Our defense won the game for us.”

Maureen Frauenholtz was one of five Saints with five or more digs as she led the match with 18. Allyse Cruise led Tech with 14 digs.

“This was a game we’ve looked forward to for a week now, and I think we executed well,” said Boyle.

Carroll, now 26-8, hit .212 in the match with seven blocks. It was led by 12 kills by Sammy Priddy, and 11 kills by Christina Smetana. Smetana, named FC Player of the Year on Thursday night, hit .474.

Opposite to the execution of Carroll, Montana Tech just couldn’t seem to put it all together. “This Tech team played hard and intensely,” said Tobin. “But we did not execute well tonight.”

Montana Tech, which ends its 2009-2010 campaign with a record of 11-17, was led by Katie Daly who hit .314 and finished with 13 kills, seven digs, and 2.5 blocks. Shersteen Cline finished with 11 kills.

The Saints now set their sights on LCSC in the semifinals.

“LC is playing tough,” said Boyle. “If we can stay loose I think it will be a great match. We’re excited about it.”