Scots Snag Fourth Place in Fifth Annual Kilt Classic

September 8-9, 2006
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Written by Hugh Howard
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Ali Drushal recorded 147 digs during the Kilt Classic, earning her a spot on the all-tournament team.

After finishing runners-up in last year's classic, The College of Wooster volleyball team took home fourth place honors at its own tournament on Saturday afternoon in Timken Gymnasium, falling to Urbana University in a rematch of last year's title tilt in four games (25-30, 30-25, 28-30, 20-30). The Fighting Scots finished 2-3 on the weekend, picking up both of their victories in Friday night's opening round of pool play.

Malone College won the tournament's championship game with a four-game defeat (30-28, 30-26, 17-30, 31-29) over Mt. Union College, while St. Vincent got by Roberts Wesleyan College in five games (25-30, 22-30, 30-24, 30-22, 15-13) to claim fifth. The battle for seventh-place also went the distance, with Bluffton College edging Waynesburg College in five 30-26, 24-30, 25-30, 31-29, 15-9).

Pool play began on Friday night at 6 p.m., with the host Scots taking on Bluffton, who entered the game 3-2. Wooster cruised in the first two matches, winning by 30-22 and 30-20 scores. Bluffton, however fought back to squeak by the Scots in game three 34-22. Wooster took command, ending the Beavers' chance at a comeback with a 30-23 win in game four.

Wooster looked to be in trouble during its second match of the night, falling behind early to Roberts Wesleyan 28-30 and 24-30 in the first two games. Game three saw the Scots come storming back, winning 30-27 and using the momentum to propel them to win the final two games 30-26 and 15-9. Wooster's offensive attack was led by Ashley Quisenberry and Erin Schaffner, with 15 and 14 kills respectively, while Ali Drushal recorded 30 digs in a stellar defensive effort.

The Fighting Scots would next face-off against Malone College in a crucial match, with both teams owning identical 2-0 records in pool play. The Scots came roaring out of the gates, winning the first game 30-23. The Pioneers, however, would answer the call, winning three straight games (30-23, 30-13, 30-26) to claim victory and earn the #1 seed in pool play. Leading the way for Wooster was the Quisenberry and KateLynn Riley with 12 kills a piece, while Drushal put forth another great effort with 38 digs.

The Scots began bracket play as the #2 seed from pool A, squaring off against the #1 team from pool B, Mt. Union College. The Purple Raiders came ready to play, taking game one by a 30-13 margin. Wooster dug deep in game two, pulling out a narrow 30-28 victory. However, the rest of the match belonged to the Mount Union, as they won the final two games by 30-26 and 30-27 scores. Carolyn Ciregio led the Scot attack with 17 kills.

In its final match of the weekend, the Scots fell to familiar foe Urbana in four games, dropping the first by a 30-25 score before coming back to take game two 30-25. Game three was a nail biter, with Urbana narrowly escaping with a 30-28 win. Wooster ran out of gas in game four, as Urbana triumphed 30-20, and securing third place in the tournament.

Leading the way for the Scots during the weekend was defensive ace Ali Drushal, recording 147 digs from her libero position, earning her a spot on the all-tournament team.

Ciriegio finished first on the team in kills (72), while Quisenberry posting the team-high in blocks, tallying 27 and adding 57 kills. Schaffner also gave the Scots offense a boost, totaling 62 kills and 21 blocks on the weekend.

Sophomore setter Abbie Casey paced the offense with 9.95 assists per game on the weekend to go with six kills, eight service aces, and 14 digs.

Raquel O'Hara (MVP) and Ashley Yocum notched all-tournament honors for Malone, while Amanda Yocum and Amanda Kohler of Mt. Vernon and Mary Brunner of Urbana rounded out the rest of the all-tournament team.

The Scots resume competition on Wednesday, Sept. 12, its first North Coast Athletic Conference match of the year at Oberlin College. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.