Oct. 10, 2007

Box Score

CANYON, Texas - The No. 16 West Texas A&M volleyball team made short work of the St. Mary's Rattlers on Wednesday night, dispatching the visitors from San Antonio in straight games (30-15, 30-15 and 30-19). The victory improves the Lady Buffs' overall record to 20-7 on the season while St. Mary's falls to 10-11.

WTAMU got off to a hot start in the match, taking the opening game behind four kills from middle blocker Melissa Harper and then took a commanding lead as sophomore outside hitter Natalie Johnson notched five second game kills. Johnson, a native of Cortz, Colo., finished with seven kills in the match, just one behind team leader Laura Prinsen, who posted eight kills on 14 attacks for a .429 hitting percentage.

Sophomore setter Katie Rickwartz chipped in with five kills to go along with her game-high 24 assists as the Lady Buff offense finished the night with a .357 team hitting percentage.

WTAMU's defense was also solid, forcing 37 errors by the Rattlers and holding them to a .081 attack percentage. Junior libero Sara Contreras piled up a game-high five digs as the Lady Buffs run their home record to 10-1 on the year.

The Lady Buffs return to action tomorrow as they travel to Denton, Texas, to battle Texas Woman's in a 7 p.m. contest.