Scots to Make Final Push for NCAC Tournament Berth

For The Week Of:
October 23, 2006

Written by Hugh Howard
330-263-2374
Email Story

Erin Schaffner

This week will be crucial for The College of Wooster volleyball team, as it enters the final leg of the regular season with three scheduled North Coast Athletic Conference matches, which will determine whether the Fighting Scots earn a spot again in the four-team NCAC Tournament. Wooster currently is in fourth-place with a 7-6 league record, however, hot on its heels is Ohio Wesleyan University (19-8, 7-7 NCAC), and the two meet Wednesday, Oct. 25, at OWU for a key bout, starting at 7 p.m. Previously (Sept. 26), the Scots swept the Battling Bishops 30-27, 30-19, 30-22. On Friday night, Oct. 27, Wooster returns home to Timken Gymnasium where it will welcome third-place Denison University (15-10, 9-5 NCAC) for a 7 p.m. match. Denison edged the Scots in four close games (30-28, 29-31, 30-23, 30-22) back on Sept. 29. Wooster wraps up its regular season Saturday, Oct. 28, at eighth-place Kenyon College (6-21, 3-11 NCAC) at 1 p.m. The Scots won their first clash this season with the Ladies in four (30-15, 30-26, 26-30, 30-23).

Last Week: Wooster triumphed in one of four matches last week, barely maintaining its hold on fourth-place in the NCAC standings (7-6) and slipping below .500 overall (13-14).
On Oct. 17, the Scots suffered a 3-1 setback at the hands of NCAC foe Allegheny College in Timken Gymnasium by scores of 28-30, 30-27, 30-24, 30-26. Leading Wooster were Erin Schaffner (North Canton, Ohio / GlenOak) and KateLynn Riley (Westlake, Ohio / Westlake) with 17 kills apiece, while Ashley Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio / Springfield Catholic Central) contributed 14 kills, 21 digs and 4.5 blocks. Abbie Casey (Prospect, Ohio / Marion Pleasant) had 50 assists from her setter position, while libero Ali Drushal (Lakeville, Ohio / Lakeville) racked up 45 digs. Also posting double-digit digs was Megan Earle (Middleburg Hts., Ohio / Midpark) with 23.
On Oct. 20-21, the Scots traveled west for the weekend, making stops at Earlham College and Wittenberg University for three matches. Wooster defeated Earlham 30-27, 30-19, 30-24 Friday and then lost twice Saturday to a pair of ranked foes. First, the Scots pushed No. 13 ranked Wittenberg University in games one and three, eventually falling 30-27, 30-15, and 30-21. Then, the College of Mount St. Joseph, which is in the other receiving votes category of the national poll, topped Wooster 30-17, 30-27, 30-15. Stats were not available at the time of this release.