Sept. 3, 2005
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Villanova volleyball team downed the Lobos 3-0 tonight in the championship match of the Comcast Lobo Invitational. Senior Chelsea Sondrup recorded two blocks, tying the all-time UNM record of 326 set by Linda Archuleta in 1984.
Despite forcing more Villanova errors, UNM connected on just seven kills, falling in the first game, 30-24. Adrian Semrau and Kacy Sellers fueled the Wildcats with 10 of the team’s 20 kills. Senior Nicole Ryan put down four of UNM’s seven kills and had four of the team’s 10 digs.
Villanova commanded game two, holding the lead most of the game, winning 30-23. Alona Cherkez was the star of game two for the Wildcats, slamming down nine kills for nine and one-half points. Sondrup was red hot in game two, forcing down six kills on eight total attempts for a .750 hitting percentage. Sophomore Samie Weber was also a key player for the Lobos, hitting .500 (4K-1E-6TA).
With the match and tournament title on the line, New Mexico hung tough in game three. The Lobos were even with the Wildcats at 20 all when Jenna Link and Celine Nguyen sparked a 10-4 run to give VU the 30-24 win. Villanova hit .410 as a team in game three to raise its match percentage to .351.
Overall, Sondrup hit a team-high .400 and tied with Ryan for the most kills (11). Freshman Sarah Kwasigroch dished out 34 of UNM’s 35 assists while sophomore Kim Cox recorded nine digs.
The Lobos (2-2) finished the tournament in second place, followed by Lamar (1-6) and Northern Arizona (0-3), respectively. Lamar beat Northern Arizona, 3-1, in the first game of session three.
New Mexico placed Ryan, Weber and freshman Gayle Tripp on the all-tournament team. Erica Brown and Buchi Okoh respresented Lamar and Villanova’s Alona Cherkez completed the team. Adrian Semrau of Villanova was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
The Lobos return to action on Friday, Sept. 9 at the University of Montana Tournament. UNM will play UC Davis at 7 p.m.