Sports > September 14, 2005

By Jimmy McQuilkin

Contributing Reporter

After a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock in the opening round of the University of Texas-Arlington Invitational, the volleyball team cruised through two consecutive 3-0 victories against Texas-Pan American and Iowa to capture the tournament title in Arlington, Texas, Sept. 9-10.

In their debut match against Arkansas-Little Rock Sept. 9, the Deacs started strong out of the gate, winning the first game by a score of 30-26.

However, Wake Forest dropped the next two games by scores of 30-21 and 30-17 and found themselves trailing the match two games to one.

Rallying behind the superb efforts of junior outside hitter Lauren Peterson and senior setter Erin Borhart, the Deacons battled to a 30-26 victory in the fourth game.

The Deacs then finished off their comeback, claiming the decisive fifth set by a score of 15-10.

Head Coach Heather Kahl said she was inspired by the resiliency her team exhibited in their come-from-behind victory.

“It showed a lot of heart and team work, and I’m proud of the way the team came together,” Kahl said.

Peterson, who finished the match with 19 kills, a service ace and three digs, credited the match’s turnaround to a conscious team decision to refocus following the third game.

“We just relaxed and started having fun, and everything just started coming together, mainly thanks to Shannan Homan,” Peterson said.

The Deacons carried the momentum of an exciting opening-round victory into their match against Texas-Pan American Sept. 10. The team started off the match well, winning the first game 30-28.

Riding high, the Deacs finished off their second-consecutive victory of the weekend, capturing the second and third games by the scores of 30-23 and 30-21 respectively.

Sophomore outside hitter Michael Faulkner led the offensive attack against Texas-Pan American with 11 kills. Senior defensive specialist Klarysa Henry led the defensive effort with 13 digs.

The Deacs held their opponents to .101 hitting percentage, a deciding factor in the win.

Later the same day, the Deacons faced Iowa as they attempted to complete a perfect weekend to sweep the University of Texas-Arlington Invitational.

A strong offensive attack and a .567 hitting percentage powered the team to a 30-27 victory in the first game of the match.

The second game saw five lead-changes before the Deacons again emerged victorious by a score of 30-27. A strong defensive effort, with 23 digs by the team, helped the Deacons seal the match with a 30-26 victory.

Borhart earned her first triple-double of the season, with 11 kills, 33 assists and 16 digs. Peterson led the attack, hitting a match-high .538 on 15 kills, 26 total attacks and only one error.

Defensively, Henry had 11 digs and junior right side hitter Jenna Doane had six.

Along with their first tournament of the year, this weekend’s competition appears to have prepared the Deacons well for success later in the season.

In their opening tournament, Sept. 2-3, the Deacs faced some of the top competition in the country, playing both 14th-ranked Louisville and 30th-ranked Ohio. Then, the team got a taste of success by winning their second tournament of the year.

“I think it was good to be able to get the gitters out in the first tournament and it was also good competition,” Henry said. In addition to being a successful weekend on the volleyball court, the trip to Arlington held added significance to of the Deacons.

The weekend also served as a homecoming for several Texans on the squad. Peterson grew up in Arlington, while Henry lives in Houston, and sophomore middle blocker Jackie Lewis hails from New Braunfels.

“It was so much fun playing in Texas,” Peterson said, “I loved it because my family and friends are there.”

The Deacons’ three victories over the weekend improved their record to 4-2 overall. They will host the Wake Forest Invitational Sept. 16-17, when South Dakota State and Morehead State visit Reynolds Gym.