November 9, 1998

The Monmouth College women’s volleyball team rebounded from a disappointing semifinal loss with a thrilling win to capture third place at last weekend’s Midwest Conference Championship Tournament. The tournament, which featured all ten league schools, was hosted by Grinnell College.

Monmouth, the #3 seed from the MWC South Division, began the weekend by defeating #2 North seed Lawrence in straight games (15-4, 15-5, 15-11). The Scots’ offense struck early and kept the Vikings off-guard the entire match. Freshman Jaime Jones (LaHarpe,IL/LaHarpe) led the net game with 16 kills and five blocks. Senior Michelle Kommer (Monticello,IL/Monticello) added nine kills and Wendy Erlandson (Kirkwood,IL/Yorkwood) contributed eight. Cindy Erlandson (Kirkwood,IL/Yorkwood) was the team’s top setter with 22 assists. The Monmouth defense also came up big in rally situations with three players recording double-digit dig totals.

The Scots enjoyed a 2-1 lead over the host Pioneers in their semifinal round match but let the lead slip away. Monmouth lost the match in five games (15-13, 14-16, 15-9, 8-15, 13-15) and missed an opportunity to play for their first conference title since 1982. Jones posted 25 kills and sophomore Cathie Osborn (Hartsburg,IL/Hartsburg-Emden) added 14. Kommer and Erlandson each collected 11 kills and the Scots had 11 service aces but it wasn’t enough as Grinnell squeaked out the victory.

The third-place match against St. Norbert looked to be a yawner as Monmouth took the first two games by scores of 15-10 and 15-0, the first time all season the Scots had shut out an opponent. However, the Green Knights came charging back to capture the next two games (15-7 and 15-12) to force a fifth and deciding game, which proved to be one of the most exciting the team had played all season. With third-place honors on the line, Monmouth and St. Norbert pushed each other into extra time before the Scots prevailed by a score of 19-17. Jones led the offense once again with 19 kills but had plenty of help as Kommer (16), Wendy Erlandson (14) and Osborn (12) all had double-digit kill totals. Cindy Erlandson handed out 31 assists and Stacey Kreps (Champaign,IL/ Centennial) added 24. Kommer and Osborn recorded 23 and 21 digs, respectively, for Monmouth and Wendy Erlandson tied her own single-match school record with 11 service aces.

The Scots end the 1998 season, their first under the direction of former Monmouth standout Kari Shimmin, with a 21-11 record. It was the team’s first 20-win season since 1994, when Monmouth finished 21-12 and tied for third place at the league tournament.