Sports - Sports News

POSTED: Saturday, Nov. 08, 2008

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL: Vikings sweep Saint Martin's in volleyball

Middle blocker Angie Alvord had match highs of 11 kills and six blocks as nationally-ranked Western Washington University swept Saint Martin's University 25-15, 26-24, 25-20 in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference volleyball match Saturday, Nov. 8, at Lacey.

The Vikings, ranked No. 11 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association/NCAA Division II Top 25 Poll and No. 7 in the West Region rating, improved to 19-3 and remained second in the GNAC at 11-3.

Western Oregon, which defeated the Vikings in four sets Thursday, clinched at least a tie for the league title with a five-set victory at Central Washington. That also gives the Wolves an automatic berth in the NCAA II West Regional as they would win the tiebreaker in all possible scenarios.

Saint Martin's fell to 4-19 overall and 1-13 in league action. The Saints were led by Nicole Ostlund with 10 kills.

"This was a long trip and to end it with a win should help us going into next week," Western coach Diane Flick said.

Alvord had a .367 attack percentage with no errors in 30 attempts.

Western outside hitter Megan Amundson had nine kills, 10 digs and three blocks; and middle blocker Tiana Roma added eight kills and five blocks.

Western, which now must earn an at-large berth to reach the regionals, ends its regular season with two home matches against Alaska Fairbanks on Thursday, Nov. 13, and Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, Nov. 15.