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No. 24 WTAMU Making 10th-Straight NCAA-II Regional Appearance This Weekend
Nov. 19, 2003
The West Texas A&M University volleyball team, ranked No. 24 in the AVCA Top 25 Poll, qualified to the NCAA-II Southwest Regional this weekend at Denver, Colo., hosted by Metropolitan State College. The Lady Buffs are the fifth-seed and open the tournament against Rockhurst University on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 8:30 p.m. Central Time. It will be a rematch of last year's Southwest Regional title match at The Box, won by WTAMU, 3-1. The Lady Hawks and Lady Buffs met earlier this season, on Sept. 19 at the Heartland/Lone Star Conference Crossover, hosted by Cameron at Lawton, Okla., with RU claiming a 3-1 victory.
It is the 10th-straight year and the 13th time in the last 14 years that WTAMU has made a Regional appearance. Of those 14 years, the Lady Buffs have won eight Regional Championships. Complete Release in PDF Format
The Teams
The Lady Buffs are back in the AVCA Top 25 after a six week absence, and are 29-7 on the year after defeating Central Oklahoma on Saturday to win their fifth-straight Lone Star Conference title and eighth in the last nine years. WTAMU enters the Regional Tournament having won five-consecutive matches and 21 of its last 23.
Rockhurst, ranked No. 25 in the AVCA Top 25 Poll, is 29-12, after being swept by St. Edward's Saturday night for the Heartland Conference Championship, on RU's home court. The loss snapped a five-match win streak for the Lady Hawks.
St. Edward's, ranked No. 22 in the AVCA Top 25 Poll, is 30-6 after defeating Rockhurst to win the Heartland Conference title Saturday. The Hilltoppers have won 21-straight matches, including sweeping through the conference tournament. WTAMU was the last team to beat SEU, back on Sept. 20 at the Heartland/Lone Star Conference Crossover.
Metro State, the seventh-ranked team in the AVCA Top 25 Poll, is 27-5, after winning the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship Saturday, with a four-game victory over Nebraska-Kearney. The Roadrunners enter the regional tournament having swept four of their last seven matches.
No. 8 Nebraska-Kearney's run for the RMAC title came to an end when it lost Metro State in the championship match Saturday. Before that loss, UNK had only dropped one of its last 19 matches. The Lopers enter the regional tournament with an overall record of 29-6.
Fort Hays State, ranked No. 21 in the Poll, finished the season with a 25-6 overall record, after being defeated by Regis University in the first round of the RMAC Tournament. Despite the loss, Fort Hays still received a bid to the Regional Tournament. The Tigers began the season with a 14-match winning streak, but since that time, the longest streak lasted only four games. The Tigers will enter the Regional Tournament having lost their final two matches of the season.
The Coaches
WTAMU head coach Tony Graystone (Grand Valley State, 1992) became the Lady Buffs' all-time winningest coach on Oct. 28. Graystone, in his fifth year at the helm of the Lady Buffs, currently has a 165-17 (.907) career record, topping former WTAMU and current Metro State coach Debbie Hendricks' 159 wins from 1992-'98.
Graystone was the fastest coach to reach 100 wins in the history of the NCAA. He achieved the accomplishment in only 106 matches. The next closest to reach 100 wins was Gil Dobie, who coached Boston College football, reaching the milestone in 108 games.
Rockhurst is coached by Tracy Rietzke (Kansas Wesleyan, 1977). Rietzke has been coaching at Rockhurst for 15 years and tallied a record of 678-90 (.882). Rietzke's coaching career has covered 21 years and in that time he has a 850-146 (.853) record.
St. Edward's is led by Sean Donahue (Texas, 1997). In his two years with the team, Donahue has tallied a 60-15 (.800) overall record.
Metro State is coached by former WTAMU head coach, Debbie Hendricks (Lubbock Christian, 1989), who is in her fourth year leading the Roadrunners. Hendricks has a 103-25 (.805) record at MSCD, and a 299-106 (.738) career record in her 12 years of coaching, going for career win No. 300 on Friday. While at WTAMU from 1993-98, Hendricks guided the Lady Buffs to the 1997 National Championship with a 37-3 record that season and earning AVCA Coach of the Year accolades. She was named LSC South Coach of the Year in 1997 and 1998.
Nebraska-Kearney is coached by Rick Squiers (Simpson College, 1988), who is his fifth year leading the Lopers. Squiers has a 150-25 (.857) record at UNK and a 354-80 (.805) career record in his 11 years as a collegiate head coach.
Fort Hays State is led by Jesse Mahoney (Colorado, 1995), who has an even .500 record at FHSU (76-76).
WTAMU vs. Tournament Field
The Lady Buffs are 1-1 with Rockhurst, defeating them last year in the Southwest Regional, 3-1. This season, RU beat WTAMU, 3-1, on Sept. 19, at the Heartland/LSC Crossover. In that match, Ambra Clark led the Lady Buffs with a match-high 20 kills, as Kendra Morgan dished out a match-high 52 assists and Kacie Hyatt had a match-high 29 digs. Jessica Shepler led RU with 16 kills, followed by Regiane Manzato with 14 kills.
WTAMU holds a 10-4 advantage over Metro State, with the most recent meeting last year at the Colorado Premier Challenge at Denver, Colo, with the Roadrunners claiming a 3-1 win.
The Lady Buffs are a perfect 3-0 vs. Nebraska-Kearney, last meeting in the 2000 Southwest Regional Final, won by WTAMU, 3-1.
WTAMU is also perfect at 5-0 vs. St. Edward's. The Lady Buffs knocked off the Hilltoppers, 3-0, on Sept. 20 at the Heartland/LSC Crossover. That was SEU's last loss, as they've reeled off 21-straight victories.
Against Fort Hays State, the Lady Buffs are 1-1, last meeting in 1993.
About the Lady Buffs
As a team, WTAMU hits at a .239 clip, and averages 16.19 kpg, 14.47 apg, 20.07 dpg, and limits the opponent to .163 hitting percentage. The Lady Buffs are 17th in kills per game in the NCAA-II statistics (as of 11/09/03), 23rd in assists per game and 24th in digs.
WTAMU is led by two-time All-American 5-9 senior setter Kendra Morgan, who was recently named LSC Offensive Player of the Year. This season Morgan has established a new LSC career assists mark, as she now has 6,035 assists, becoming just the 12th player in NCAA-II history to reach the 6,000 assist-plateau. The Amarillo, Texas native has recorded six triple-doubles on the season, most recently last Monday at New Mexico Highlands as she tallied 52 assists, 10 kills and tied a career-high with 23 digs. Morgan, who was named Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week following the opening weekend, is averaging 12.17 apg, 3.63 dpg and 1.75 kpg. She earned LSC All-Tournament MVP accolades after averaging 43 assists per match, as the Lady Buffs swept both their matches in winning their fifth-straight LSC title.
Morgan has surpassed 1,000 assists for the fourth-straight season, as she has 1,533 assists this year. She currently has 6,035 career assists in 480 games, for an career average of 12.57 apg, which presently ranks third on the NCAA-II career assists per game list, as well as 12th for career assists. Morgan joins her sister, Holly Morgan, in the NCAA-II record book. Holly, a Lady Buff from 1995-'98, is 19th in digs per game (3.81 dpg).
Morgan has achieved a triple-milestone that is very rare in college volleyball, as she has 6,035 assists, 620 kills and 1,399 digs for her career.
Kacie Hyatt, a 5-5 senior libero leads WTAMU and ranks 27th in the NCAA-II statistics in digs with 4.70 dpg. Hyatt, an Amarillo, Texas native, was named LSC South Defensive Player of the Year. With 621 digs this year, Hyatt is WTAMU's single-season digs leader. For her career, Hyatt has 1,516 digs, which is third on the Lady Buffs' career digs list. She most likely won't catch No. 2 on the list, Morgan's sister Holly with 1,759 digs from 1995-1998. However, Hyatt moved into the NCAA-II Top 10 for single-season digs with the 30-point scoring format. Hyatt's 37 digs in WTAMU's five-game victory over Lubbock Christian on Sept. 9 is the most in the LSC this season.
A pair of freshmen provide the offensive charge for the Lady Buffs, in 5-11 outside hitter Ambra Clark and 5-9 outside hitter Jessica Scherr. Clark, an Amarillo, Texas native, was named LSC South Freshman of the Year, and leads the team with 3.94 kpg, and second on the team with 0.61 bpg. She pounded a match-high 21 kills in the LSC Championship match, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Scherr, a Kingwood, Texas native, is second on the team with 3.32 kpg and 3.79 dpg, and received honorable mention All-LSC South accolades.
Freshman middle blocker Megan Spivey (6-0), leads the Lady Buffs in blocking with 1.16 bpg. Spivey, a Keller, Texas native, received second-team All-LSC South honors. She adds 2.34 kpg, and has a .267 hitting percentage.
The Lady Buffs have swept 17 times this season, including eight of their last 12 matches, and have been swept twice. WTAMU is 5-2 in five-game matches.
About the Tournament Field
Rockhurst is 29-12, after being swept by St. Edward's Saturday night for the Heartland Conference Championship, on RU's home court. The loss snapped a five-match win streak for the Lady Hawks.
RU has a .254 hitting percentage as a team, with 16.11 kpg, 14.90 apg, 19.14 dpg, and 2.53 bpg, with their opponent hitting .180.
The Lady Hawks are led by All-American 5-11 senior outside hitter Jessica Shepler, who averages 4.94 kpg (.307 hitting percentage) and 3.51 dpg. She adds 0.76 bpg. Shepler had 12 kills in the loss to St. Edward's Saturday.
Regiane Manzato, a 6-0 junior middle blocker, averages 3.98 kpg (.250 hitting percentage) and 0.67 bpg. Manzato tied match-highs with 15 kills and six blocks in the championship loss to St. Edward's.
The Lady Hawks have a two-setter system, with 5-10 senior Deanna Shelton and 5-8 sophomore Kecia Jennings. Shelton dishes out 7.46 apg, while Jennings has a 6.39 apg average. Shelton adds 2.59 dpg and 1.68 kpg.
RU has swept 23 opponents, including a stretch of seven in a row midseason. The Lady Hawks have been swept three times. Rockhurst is 2-1 in five-game matches.
Metro State is 27-5, after winning the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship Saturday, with a four-game victory over Nebraska-Kearney. The Roadrunners enter the regional tournament having swept four of their last seven matches.
MSCD is fifth in the NCAA-II statistics in kills per game, racking up 1,765 (17.14 kpg). As a team, the Roadrunners hit .262, with 17.57 kpg, 16.11 apg, with 18.33 dpg and 2.14 bpg, while limiting the opponent to .167 hitting percentage.
The Roadrunners are led by 5-9 senior outside hitter Jessy Roy. Roy leads her team, and as of Nov. 9 was 20th in the nation with 522 kills (4.58 kpg). She also leads her team in digs with 446 (3.91 dpg) and service aces, recording 32 (.28 sapg). Roy has also tallied 54 blocks (0.47 bpg) for MSCD this season. In Sunday's championship match, Roy had 27 kills (.390 hitting percentage) and 19 digs.
Another force at the net for Metro State is 5-10 senior middle blocker Shawna Gilbert, who leads the team with 112 total blocks (0.98 bpg), which is 23 blocks better than her next teammate. Gilbert has also racked up 410 kills (3.60 kpg), 27 service aces (0.24 sapg), and 89 digs (0.78 dpg). In Sunday's championship win over Nebraska-Kearney, Gilbert also had 27 kills (.404 hitting percentage).
Directing the attack for the Roadrunners is 5-10 senior setter Devon Herron, with 1,616 assists (14.18 apg). This is good enough for fourth in the nation. Herron is second on the team with 28 service aces (0.25 sapg), third in digs with 313 (2.75 dpg), and has recorded 150 kills (1.32 kpg).
Metro State has won via the sweep in 16 matches, and been swept three times. The Roadrunners are 4-1 in full five-frame matches.
Nebraska-Kearney's run for the RMAC title came to an end when it lost Metro State in the championship match Saturday. Before that loss, UNK had only dropped one of its last 19 matches. The Lopers enter the regional tournament with an overall record of 29-6.
As of Nov. 9, Nebraska-Kearney was ranked seventh in kills per game in the national stats, 15th in hitting percentage and 24th in blocks per game. UNK averages 16.95 kpg, with a hitting percentage of .281, as well as 15.69 apg, 18.24 dpg, 2.76 bpg, while limiting the opponent to a .157 hitting percentage.
The Lopers are led by 6-0 sophomore middle blocker Erin Gudmundson, who leads the team with 532 kills (4.43 kpg) and is second with 126 total blocks (1.05 bpg). She has also recorded 111 digs (0.93 dpg) and 27 service aces (0.22 sapg).
Erin Arnold, 5-10 junior outside hitter, leads the team with 47 service aces (0.39 sapg) and in digs with 447 (3.72 dpg). Arnold is second on the team in kills with 494 (4.12 kpg) and has recorded 52 total blocks (0.43 bpg) this season.
Setting for the Lopers is 5-9 sophomore Bethany Splide, who is ranked ninth in the nation with 1,615 assists (13.57 apg). Splide is second on the team with 355 digs (2.98 dpg), while recording 78 kills (0.66 kpg), 20 service aces (0.17 sapg), and 70 total blocks (0.59 bpg).
NK has swept 20 times and been swept twice. The Lopers are 1-1 in five-gamers.
St. Edward's is 30-6 after defeating Rockhurst to win the Heartland Conference title Saturday. The Hilltoppers have won 21-straight matches, including sweeping through the conference tournament. WTAMU was the last team to beat SEU, back on Sept. 20 at the Heartland/Lone Star Conference Crossover.
The Hilltoppers average 15.31 kpg on .237 hitting percentage, with 13.96 apg, 16.70 dpg, 1.66 bpg and limiting their opponents to a .166 hitting percentage.
SEU is led by 5-11 junior outside hitter Erika Figueiredo, who leads the team, and is 11th in the nation with 458 kills (4.82 kpg). Figueiredo adds 3.34 dpg and 0.50 bpg. In the championship win over Rockhurst, Figueiredo tied a match-high with 15 kills.
Leticia Campos, a 6-3 senior outside hitter, adds 3.63 kpg and 3.03 dpg, as well as a team-high 77 service aces (0.69 sapg).
Jamie Shackelford, a 5-11 junior outside hitter, leads SEU with 0.70 bpg, and adds 2.75 kpg and 2.32 dpg.
Setter Anne Brito (5-8, junior), dishes out 12.32 apg and adds 2.59 dpg.
The Hilltoppers have swept 20 times, including four in a row, sweeping through the Heartland Conference Tournament to claim the title. SEU has been swept four times, including by WTAMU on Sept. 20. In five game matches, the Hilltoppers are 2-1.
Triple-Double Bubble, Toil and Trouble
Kendra Morgan has recorded six triple-doubles on the season and just missed eight, coming up one kill short vs. Augustana on Sept. 26 and one dig shy against TAMU-Kingsville on Oct. 3. The most recent triple-double occurred last Monday night at New Mexico Highlands, as she registered 52 assists, 10 kills and tied a career-high with 23 digs. Morgan, who logged two triple-doubles in one week alone, has earned LSC Setter of the Week four times and Sports Imports/AVCA D-II National Player of the Week honors once, along the way.
Morgan is the first Lady Buff to accomplish the feat since Sarah Butler tallied a triple-double on Aug. 28, 1998, vs. Nebraska-Kearney. WTAMU records are incomplete as far as other triple-doubles, but Morgan is thought to be the first to not only accomplish it multiple times in a week, but also more than once in a season.
Morgan's Triple-Double Log:
- 8/30 vs. Grand Valley State
56 assists, 20 digs, 11 kills
- 9/9 vs. Lubbock Christian
67 assists^, 12 digs, 10 kills
- 9/13 vs. Incarnate Word
51 assists, 23 digs*, 18 kills*
- 9/27 vs. Cameron
61 assists, 20 digs, 12 kills
- 10/30 vs. Lubbock Christian
67 assists^, 22 digs, 10 kills
- 11/10 vs. New Mexico Highlands
52 assists, 23 digs*, 10 kills
^ - one off of career-high
* - career-highs
WTAMU Coaching Ledger
WTAMU head coach Tony Graystone (Grand Valley State, 1992) became the Lady Buffs' all-time winningest coach on Oct. 28. Graystone, in his fifth year at the helm of the Lady Buffs, currently has a 165-17 (.907) career record, topping Debbie Hendricks' 159 wins from 1992-'98. He already is the Lady Buffs' winningest coach by percentage.
WTAMU's Top Five Winningest Coaches List
Tony Graystone, 1999-present 165-17 (.907)
Debbie Hendricks, 1992-'98 159-47 (.772)
Kim Hudson, 1987-1990 127-25 (.836)
Jim Giacomazzi, 1991-'92 66-13 (.835)
Carmen Pennick, 1983-'86 65-104 (.385)
WTAMU's NCAA-II Record Streak Snapped at 77
On Oct. 10, WTAMU was upset by Angelo State in five-games, snapping the Lady Buffs' NCAA-II record for consecutive wins in all matches vs. conference opponents at 77-straight.
Dynamic Duo's Last Appearance In The Box
Last weekend was the last time that seniors Kendra Morgan and Kacie Hyatt played in The Box in a Lady Buff uniform. These two, who are both from Amarillo, have been a dynamic duo since kindergarten. Their roads split in high school as Kacie went to Tascosa High and Kendra to Amarillo High, but they were on the same club team throughout high school. Their paths reunited here at West Texas A&M.
Together, they've led the Lady Buffs to four-straight LSC Championships and two Elite Eight appearances.
Lady Buffs Earning LSC Player of the Week Honors
Five different Lady Buffs have earned LSC South Player of the Week Awards. Four of those five have won multiple times, led by Kendra Morgan and Kacie Hyatt with four apiece.
Poll Positions
WTAMU back in the AVCA poll after a six-week absence. It was the first year since 1995 that the AVCA poll did not include the Lady Buffs. After beginning the season with a No. 12 ranking and climbing as high as ninth after the first week, WTAMU is was among others receiving votes for six weeks, before finally climbing back in. WTAMU had been out of the AVCA Top 25 Poll for the first time since the final poll of the 1995 season, when the Lady Buffs posted a 30-8 overall record. WTAMU was not ranked in the poll for most of the 1993, '94, and '95 seasons.
WTAMU's Week-By-Week Poll Log
Date Rank
Preseason 12
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