KALAMAZOO -- The 2008 Western Michigan volleyball team made its season debut by winning three sets against a collection of Bronco volleyball alumni by scores of 25-13, 25-17, 25-17 in front of 224 enthusiastic fans at University Arena on Saturday night.
The Broncos were led by 2007 First Team All-Mid-American Conference outside hitter Michelle Moore with 16 kills and 2007 Second Team All-MAC middle blocker Ashley Vogl with 15 kills. Junior setter Jillian Mitchell led the attack with 38 assists.
The Brown & Gold were also strong defensively as defending MAC Defensive Player of the Year Caitlin Strimel picked up 23 digs and 2007 MAC All-Freshman Team outside hitter Allyson Doyle added 16 digs, in addition to eight kills.
Junior outside hitter Katie Eberling and sophomore middle blocker Jaime Gotham each added seven kills for Western Michigan.
The alumni were represented by Kathryn Babcock, Katy Duffy, Abby Gephart, Jess Holly, Shannon Jackson, Shaylen Jackson, Carman Malone, Traci Morin, Kristy Ramsey and Angie Sillmon.
The Broncos open the 2008 season next weekend in Gainesville, Fla., at the Aquafina Invitational against Pacific on August 29 at 5 p.m. and UAB on August 30 at 6 p.m.
FINAL STATS
| Name |
Kills |
Digs |
Blocks |
Assists |
Aces |
| Strimel |
|
23 |
|
|
1 |
| Gotham |
7 |
|
|
|
1 |
| Viox |
|
2 |
|
8 |
|
| Vogl |
15 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
| Moore |
16 |
4 |
|
|
|
| Mitchell |
|
2 |
|
38 |
1 |
| Doyle |
8 |
16 |
|
2 |
1 |
| Seiler |
|
2 |
|
|
|
| Turnage |
1 |
|
|
|
|
| Eberling |
7 |
3 |
|
|
|