Oct. 26, 2010
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By: Robert Ivory
CLEVELAND, Ohio- Cleveland State was able to beat Robert Morris 3-1 Tuesday night at Woodling Gym to finish their non-conference schedule. Kara Koch had a double double with a team leading 23 kills and 14 digs and the Vikings as a team hit .271 overall.
"We had a really productive practice this week," head coach Chuck Voss said. "We were ready for this game and I think it showed tonight. We played with confidence and Jordan Goad showed her leadership to help us close them out."
The move to Vikings to 18-4 overall and finish 10-1 on non-conference play. The Colonials drop to 10-16 overall.
Match scores were 25-15, 25-16, 25-20, and 25-13.
The Vikings controlled the early point of the first set and got out to a 13-7 lead. Despite a few timeouts by Robert Morris, the Vikings got on a roll and scored five straight points to control the set 18-8 from a Kara Koch kill, two straight kills from Annie Djukic, a block from Koch and Amy Benz, and a kill from Benz.
Cleveland State controlled the lead and the Colonials would not come within seven to give CSU the first set, 25-15. Koch led the set with five kills as the Vikes hit .333 combined, as they would hit it the second set as well.
Keeping strong in the second set, the Vikings kept the pressure on Robert Morris and were rewarded for their play. The Vikes scored the first two points of the set and never looked back. Although it was a well-played team effort, Djukic stood out for the Vikes and had eight kills at the end of the second set.
"(Djukic) did a good job for us tonight." Voss said. "She played well offensively."
At one point in the match, Djukic had as many kills as the Viking's leader, Koch (6). Koch ended the set with the final three points (with three kills) for the Vikings and a commanding 2-0 lead.
The Colonials came out of the break and quickly took the 11-6 lead. From that point, the Vikes scored the next five out of seven go get within two at 13-11. The Colonials took five straight points later in the set to push out to a 22-16 lead. The Vikings rallied to make it 24-20, but Robert Morris was able to close out the set.
"(Robert Morris) caught a few breaks in the set and were able to play better as they got momentum," Voss said.
Koch started the fourth set with a kill and the Vikings followed suit as they took the first four points of the set. Koch had a service ace to make it 11-4 and that lead was enough for the Vikings to finish the set on top, 25-13
With only five remaining Horizon League matches remaining, the Vikings head to Youngstown State on Friday night (Oct. 29) at 7:00 p.m. The Vikes complete their 2010 home portion of their schedule by hosting Loyola next Friday (Nov. 5) at 7:00 p.m. and Valparaiso on Saturday (Nov. 6) at 4:00 p.m.
