B-CU Wraps Up Tough Weekend 0-2 on Saturday - Bethune-Cookman Official Athletic Site

Going winless in the Stetson Invitational, the LadyCats drop matches to Wofford and FAU in DeLand

	Krysta Gardner led the team all weekend and stepped up big against FAU with 13 kills

Sept. 4, 2010

Box Score - Wofford | Box Score - FAU

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DeLand, Fla. - The LadyCats of Bethune-Cookman volleyball just couldn't get over the hump in the Stetson Invitational, wrapping up Saturday 0-2 for an 0-4 finish in the tournament. The LadyCats struggled early against Wofford, falling 3-0 in sets of 25-9, 25-19, 25-17, but came back late in the day to give Florida Atlantic a challenge despite the 3-0 loss. B-CU fell to FAU in sets of 25-18, 25-21, and 25-22.

"Although we did have a tough time at this tourney," said Head Coach Vanessa Cogswell, "I'm happy to say that we ended on a good note, we executed well in the final set, and picked up in our blocking and defense against FAU. The team walked away knowing that they stepped it up."

The LadyCats were unable to generate consistency on offense against Wofford, taking a heavy loss to open the match, losing 25-9. However, the LadyCats were able to bounce back a bit, with losses of 25-19 in the second, and 25-17 in the third. The absence of hitter Jessica Wilson was notable, as the LadyCats only found no go-to hitters in the battle with the Terriers.

The hitting was spread around, but none of the LadyCats stood out, with Krysta Gardner and Kat Agson leading the team with six kills apiece. Alexis Bliese topped the setters with 23 assists, while Jacqueline Woodyear stepped up on defense with 13 digs.

"The point of going to these early tournaments is to learn what works what doesn't. We definitely missed having Jessica Wilson in the lineup, as she brings a certain calm to the team as one of our most experienced hitters. "

Though in recent tournament appearance losses, the LadyCats found themselves having inconsistent games later in the day, B-CU showed perseverance late in the day against Florida Atlantic. B-CU faced FAU in their first weekend out, falling 3-0 at the hands of the notably taller Lady Owls. Though the final count ended the same, the LadyCats played tough to make it much harder to slip past them. FAU opened with a 25-18 win over B-CU, but the LadyCats came charging back with a 25-21 loss, and pushed it to the wire in the third, falling 25-22.

Making the game closer, sophomore Krysta Gardner stepped up for the hitters, leading the teams with 13 kills and a .276 hitting percentage, while Janeen Davis collected nine. Setting them up Alexis Bliese recorded 25 assists and Jennifer Jimenez earned 11 digs.

"We were happy to have Krysta [Gardner] step up in the OH spot and give teams a little trouble," said Cogswell.

Up next for B-CU, the LadyCats return to Moore Gymnasium to face SWAC foe Alabama State, Wednesday, September 8.

"The things we definitely need to work on is our serve receive passing and just playing more fundamentally sound volleyball," noted Cogswell. "I know the team will get there and we have to just keep plugging away at it. The players are understanding what needs to happen in order for us to succeed. Now it's all about applying the lessons we've learned."

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