University of North Texas Athletics
North Texas Volleyball Finishes Mean Green Classic Strong
9/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Mean Green split its two matches on the day, narrowly falling to Louisiana Tech, 3-2 (23-30, 31-33, 30-27, 30-28, 13-15), in its first match. The Mean Green put up big offensive numbers in both matches, recording 83 kills against Louisiana Tech and a .328 hitting percentage against the Islanders, both season highs.
"Offensively we had a great day," said North Texas head coach Cassie Headrick. "This morning Corina Marginas found her rhythm and Jill Ruskowski really stepped up her game today. I was very pleased with our outside attack, but I thought we were a little soft in the middle and that’s something we’ll focus on in practice."
The final four games of the Lousiana Tech match were decided by three points or less, including a two-point decision in the match’s last game. Louisiana Tech came out on fire, hitting above .400 each of the first two games. However, North Texas came out of the game-two break and was able to hold the Lady Techsters to no better than a .132 hitting percentage the last three games. Corina Marginas, who was named to the all-tournament team, smashed a match-high 36 kills and posted an impressive .484 hitting percentage. Jill Ruskowski, who recorded double-doubles in both of the Mean Green’s matches, finished with her first double-double of the year with 16 kills and a season-high 14 digs. Junior setter Kristin Sheppard ended the contest with a match and season-high 70 assists and also had 16 digs.
Outside of the third game against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, North Texas didn’t have any trouble with Islanders as they won the other three games by at least 10 points. Ruskowski made a strong showing, recording a season-high 27 kills to lead the Mean Green offensive attack. Marginas added 24 kills, while Tanya Samples controlled the action at the net with a season-high eight blocks.
"For the first time this season we were in control of the match," said Headrick. "Texas A&M-Corpus Christi came out strong in the third game, but we made them earn it. Hopefully this win will give us some momentum to carry into our match Tuesday against TCU."
Washington’s Paige Benjamin and Gretchen Maurer were named the Mean Green Classic’s Co-MVP’s as they led the Huskies to a 3-0 record and the tournament championship. Louisiana Tech, which placed two players on the all-tournament team in Lia Mora and Brianna Sibley, finished runner-up with a 2-1 mark for the weekend. North Texas’ Marginas was also named to the all-tournament team as well as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s Erin McClanahan.
North Texas will host TCU at the Snake Pit on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
