Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2017

28 | Cedarville Magazine Lady Jackets Earn First Division II Tournament Berth Cedarville Lady Jackets Volleyball finished its 2016 campaign with a first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II tournament, advancing to the semi-finals. No. 7 seed Cedarville, 27-9, rallied from a 2-1 deficit to stun No. 2 Findlay in five sets in the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Volleyball Quarterfinal match on December 1. The Lady Jackets pulled out the victory 25-22, 21-25, 22-25, 25-20, 15-10 at Ferris State University’s Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids, Michigan. The Jackets trailed Findlay two sets to one and fell into a 6-1 hole to begin the fourth set. They finally knotted the score, 12-12, and then scored three of the next four points to take the lead for good. Cedarville bolted to a 9-2 margin in the fifth set en route to its 11th win in their last 12 outings. Abby Shelton ’17 pounded 15 kills in the Findlay match, leading four players in double figures. She added 11 digs, three service aces, and two blocks. Taylor Wilkerson ’19 totaled 14 kills and six blocks, while Krissy Pratt ’18 had 14 kills and 10 digs. Gabby Olson ’18 ripped 11 kills with three blocks. Rachel Krikke ’17 turned aside a team-high eight blocks. Kristin Cardwell ’17 dished out 48 assists. Angela Becker ’17 came up with 21 digs and handled 40 serve receptions without an error. “We couldn’t be any more pleased,” noted Head Coach Doug Walters. “We came in as the No. 7 seed to play the No. 2. When the tournament draw came out we were excited that we were playing Findlay. “It’s our first time here, and it can bring a lot of jitters,” he added. “We had played Findlay twice and even scrimmaged them in the preseason. So our girls probably know them better than our own conference teams. “To come here the first time and to win our first match, it’s huge for our program and has been fun so far. I told the players before the match that when they play today, it’s like living your life for the Lord. Tomorrow isn’t promised to us, and you want to put everything into today. That included their play on the court.”