2009 NCAA Division II Softball Tournament

August 26, 2005

Lady Eagles Open Season with Day One Split Against Ranked Foes

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Opening up the season at a prestigious tournament against nationally ranked opponents is how head coach Tom Justice wanted to test the two-time defending conference and regional champion Lock Haven volleyball program.  After day one of the Ferris State Holiday Inn Tournament, the No. 24 Lady Eagles (1-1) came away with an early season split.

After a “total team effort” victory over No. 16 Northwood University, 30-28, 30-27, 30-26, Justice’s gang fell to the tournament hosts, No. 17 Ferris State University, 21-30, 25-30, 30-28, 30-25, 15-8.

“We got off to a great start against Northwood,” said Justice.  “Everyone played well and it was a total team effort.  We knew it was going to be tough to play teams of this caliber, especially on Ferris State’s home court.”

Pacing the Eagle attack in the opener was 2004 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Rookie of the Year Inga Kurgonaite (Kaunas, Lithuania/Yuozas Urbsys) and last year’s First Team All-American and PSAC Player of the Year Li YiZhi (Shanghai, China).  Kurgonaite pounded out 15 kills with a .484 hitting percentage, while Li put together a great start to her junior campaign with 12 kills, six service aces, five blocks and two block assists.

Senior setters Kelly Kostelich (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) and Allison Furry (Guys Mills, Pa./Maplewood) once again split time in the middle for the Lady Eagles, both handing out 18 assists apiece. 

In the night cap, the hosting Bulldogs jumped out to a two-game lead before LHU won the next two to force a deciding fifth game.  The Lady Eagle rally fell just short, 15-8. 

Kurgonaite continued to amaze as she put together a game-high 22 kills.  Li posted her first double-double of the year with a 21 kill-16 dig evening.  Furry dished out 33 assists in the losing effort.

Freshman middle hitter Stacey Borgia (Factoryville, Pa./Lackawanna Trail) made an impressive debut Friday, adding two blocks and two block assists against Northwood while putting together a six kill, four block assist effort against FSU.

Kugonaite, Li, Kostelich, Furry, Borgia and the rest of the Lady Eagles continue tournament action Saturday, August 27, 2005 at noon and 5 p.m.

 >>>LHU v. Ferris State Box Score<<<

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