The Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ University Lady Bulldogs are the 2003 NCCAA Volleyball National Champions. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ, ranked No. 25 in the NAIA, came from behind to defeat No. 16 Olivet Nazarene University in five sets (25-30, 30-24, 28-30, 30-23, 15-7) to capture the title. In 2001, the Lady Bulldogs lost in the championship game, however, the second time around proved to be the charm. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ improves to 33-5 on the season.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's head coach Brian Dunn says, "This was the best we've played all year and we looked like the best Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ volleyball team ever." Dunn adds, "The girls really played well and didn't make mistakes." For Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ, this will be a tremendous confidence boost as they toppled No. 16 Olivet who had beating conference menace No. 13 Lee earlier this season. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ and Lee will face off again in the conference tournament and possibly the region tournament.
Gladys Wandera was no doubt the leader for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ as she tallied 32 kills in the championship game. Nicole Garber led with 65 assists. Jennie Glassey recored three of the team's nine service aces. Wandera also led with six blocks.
Earlier in the day, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ defeated Hope International University (Calif.), a team that was 2-2 thus far in the tournament. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ easily took the semifinal match 30-21, 30-27, 30-15 to move on to the championship game Olivet Nazarene.
#DOGS#