Dec. 3, 2009

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Fifth-seeded Azusa Pacific (Calif.) and eighth-seeded College of Idaho were able to advance out of Pool E Thursday in the final day of pool play action at the NAIA Volleyball National Championship Presented by Siouxland Sports Medicine Foundation in the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena. Azusa Pacific and College of Idaho advance into single elimination action beginning Friday. Friday and Saturday’s action will be video-streamed at www.watchnaia.com.

The match between Azusa Pacific and College of Idaho pitted the two unbeaten teams in Pool E against each other, with the Cougars prevailing in four sets, 17-25, 25-21, 26-24, 25-19. Even though the Coyotes suffered defeat, their 2-1 pool play record earned them a spot in the single elimination bracket. Senior Jill Baker was active both at the net and defensively, finishing the match with a double-double posting 15 kills and 21 digs. She was accompanied in double-figure kills by Whittany Radcliffe with 16 and Amy Alkazin with 10. Raechel Jones handed out 31 assists and Sophie Burns registered 17 assists. The College of Idaho was led by Ciciley Fox and Naomi Reimer with 15 and 13 kills, respectively.

Entering single elimination action, Azusa Pacific will carry a 27-8 record, while College of Idaho sports a 26-3 mark.

Unable to advance out of pool play, Doane (Neb.) and Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) met in their final match of the season, with the Warriors going the distance and prevailing in five sets, 28-26, 21-25, 28-26, 22-25, 15-6. Dana Christiansen led the attack with 18 kills for Lewis-Clark State. Three other players finished with double-figure kills: Anile Clemente (16), Jenika Bird (11) and Dani Barrett (10). Kim Fong and Lisa Davis handed out 29 and 28 assists, respectively. Warding off the Tigers defensively was Katie Hinrichs with 41 digs. Doane had a 16-kill performance from Terra Andreasen.

Lewis-Clark State finishes its season with a 25-9 record and the Tigers wrap up their season at 29-10.
Single elimination pairings will be posted Thursday at the conclusion of pool play here.