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 Ruth Lazzari joins Sarah Hokom on the Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team |
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Women's Volleyball Wins First Game But Loses Championship In Four Sets To Temple
Nov. 25, 2002
CINCINNATI, OH - The George Washington Colonials could not fight off the Temple Owls in the Atlantic 10 Tournament. The third-seeded Colonials reached the Championship match after beating the second-seeded Dayton Flyers one night earlier. The Colonials came out swinging, winning the first game in the championship match 30-20. After stumbling to a 30-23 loss in game two, the Colonials had a shot at an automatic NCAA bid hinging on a critical game three. GW battled back from a 23-27 deficit and had the serve leading 29-28 but could not close out game three as the Owls snatched up three quick points to secure a 31-29 win.
Temple outside hitter Xu Yun proved why she was Atlantic 10 Player of the Year as she led the Owls with 23 kills and 25 digs. She was named the Championship's Most Outstanding Player. Junior outside hitter and A-10 All-Conference team member Yamit Haba also put up impressive numbers with 18 kills and 17 digs. Junior Liu Shu scored in double figures with 12 kills, 16 digs, and 10 assists while setter Alison Runk posted 59 assists. George Washington's Sarah Hokom and Ruth Lazzari were named to the All-Tournament Team as they combined for 40 kills in the championship match.
George Washingotn won game one, 30-20. Even after matching each other point for point for the first ten minutes of play, the Colonials put together a string of three and four point runs to secure the victory in game one.
Game two went the Owls way as they started with four straight points to lead 4-0. George Washington manageD to get their share of points after impressive hitting by the Colonials' Sarah Hokum. Toward the end of the game, however, the Owls went on an 10-1 scoring run and secured the 30-23 victory and tied the match at one game a piece.
Temple led for most of game three before the Colonials made a seven point comeback to take the lead, 29-28. Haba and Xu both had kills to move the Owls ahead of GW 30-29 and Temple eventually secured the win with a stellar serve by Haba.
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Temple also led game four for the majority of the time until GW went on a 7-0 scoring run and tied the game at 19-19. Then the two teams matched each other point for point before Temple took the lead, 29-26. A kill by Shu gave Temple the 30-27 victory and the championship title.
