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Nov. 9, 2007

Box Score

CANYON, Texas - For the 11th straight match, the No. 13 West Texas A&M volleyball team walked off the court with a victory, defeating Abilene Christian in straight games in semifinal action at the Lone Star Conference Volleyball Championships. With the win, the Lady Buffs move on to Saturday's title match where they will face Central Oklahoma with the 2007 Lone Star Conference Championship on the line.

After dropping the match's first point, the Lady Buffs (31-7) went back and forth with the Wildcats until a block assist from Kelly Culley and Laura Prinsen gave WT its first lead at 8-7. The Lady Buffs used the spark to collect four straight points and six of the game's next seven points to build a 12-8 advantage. ACU recovered with four consecutive points to climb back into the match and knot the game at 12-12.

Again tied at 14-14, WT reeled off six of the next seven points including back-to-back kills from sophomore middle blocker Melissa Harper and a solo block from Katie Rickwartz gave the Lady Buffs momentum, in addition to a 20-15 lead, prompting an ACU timeout.

The Wildcats were able to scratch their way back to only a one point deficit at 24-23, but again the Buffs got consecutive point from a young team member. Freshman Lauren Thedford posted two kills in a row and Sara Contreras followed with a service ace, forcing another timeout from ACU head coach Kellen Mock.

The Lady Buffs were able to use the solid play from Prinsen, who finished with seven kills in the opening frame, to secure the game one win, 30-25.

Game two saw the Wildcats jump out to a 3-1 advantage before an assisted block by Prinsen and Harper tied the game at 3-3 and propelled the Lady Buffs to four straight points. Harper again proved her worth as she delivered a kill to give WT a 6-5 advantage and followed with a solo block.

ACU (15-14) recovered to win seven of the next nine points to open a 10-8 advantage before a Natalie Johnson kill stopped the bleeding. A solo block followed by a kill by Culley squared the game up at 12-12. After briefly being tied at 13 points apiece, another kill by Culley and an ACU error gave the home-standing Lady Buffs a 15-13 advantage leading to ACU's first time out of the second game.

Hard-working defensive play by Alyssa Bromwell and Contreras, who each contributed several digs, was the signature action out of the timeout as their impressive play helped the Lady Buffs win six of seven points after the break to force yet another Wildcat timeout and give WT a 21-14 lead.

ACU responded well out of the break, cutting the lead to 26-25 before Prinsen and Culley ended one of the match's longest rallies with a double-team block. Thedford ended the match with consecutive points via a kill and service ace to put game two in the books, 30-27 Lady Buffs.

Harper got off to a strong start in game three, registering three early kills as WT built a 7-4 advantage. Just as they had in the previous two games, the `Cats held tough and climbed their way to an 11-9 advantage. ACU remained in control with a slim lead before consecutive errors by the `Cats gave the Lady Buffs a 19-17 advantage and cause an ACU timeout. The match would remain tight but the Lady Buffs would hold on to claim the third game, 30-25.

Saturday's championship match is set for a 7 p.m. first serve from "The Box," as the Lady Buffs attempt to defend their Lone Star Conference crown.