September 28, 1998

Monmouth,IL -- The Monmouth College women’s volleyball team split four matches at the Principia Invitational Tournament over the weekend and finished third in a five-team field. The 2-2 mark leaves the squad’s overall season record at 10-5 heading into their next Midwest Conference match on Thursday at Illinois College.

Monmouth lost its opener to Illinois-Springfield, an NAIA school, in a very close match (13-15, 11-15, 15-13, 15-13, 7-15). Despite defensive problems the Scots rebounded from two games down to force a fifth game but could not finish with a win. Freshman Jaime Jones (LaHarpe, IL/HS), who has been slowed lately by an ankle injury, returned to form with 11 kills and 21 blocks. Junior Wendy Erlandson (Kirkwood,IL/Yorkwood) also posted a double-double with 10 kills and 23 blocks in the match.

The Scots found the winning touch against Webster with a four-game victory (13-15, 15-2, 15-8, 16-14), surviving a close fourth game after again coming from behind. Jones had another stellar match on both sides of the net, posting 13 kills and 23 blocks as junior setter Cindy Erlandson (Kirkwood,IL/Yorkwood) dished out a team-high 24 assists. The women next defeated the host Principia Panthers in four games (13-15, 15-13, 15-5, 15-6) as Monmouth coach Kari Shimmin was able to get 13 different players into the match. Wendy Erlandson paced the Scots with 13 kills and 20 blocks. Jones and sophomore Cathie Osborn (Hartsburg,IL/Hartsburg-Emden) each chipped in 11 kills and Cindy Erlandson (18) and Stacey Kreps (Champaign,IL/ Centennial) (13) combined for 31 assists.

Monmouth had a chance to win the tournament with a victory over Anderson College (Indiana) after Anderson had beaten Illinois-Springfield. Behind a solid offensive attack the Scots jumped out to an early two game advantage but could not hold the lead, losing by scores of 15-8, 15-13, 2-15, 4-15 and 13-15. The team had three players with double-digit kills, led by Wendy Erlandson’s 17. "Our setters weren’t hitting their targets very well and we left our corners open on defense’" said Shimmin on the collapse against Anderson. "Our hitters could not find the lines and we let them back into the match." Shimmin pointed to the steady play of Wendy Erlandson throughout the tournament as one of Monmouth’s brightest spots. The junior totaled 85 blocks and 52 kills in four matches.

The Scots travel to Jacksonville on Thursday evening for a 7:00 PM showdown with MWC rival Illinois College. Monmouth is 1-0 in conference play.