Aug. 26, 2006

Final Stats: Francis Marion match
Final Stats: St. Andrews Presbyterian match

Glenville, W. Va. - Anastasia Urbanik recorded 27 kills and 10 blocks Saturday to lead The Rock to wins over Francis Marion and St. Andrews Presbyterian that concluded a four-match sweep of foes in the Pioneer Invitational hosted by Glenville State College.

Urbanik recorded 11 kills and three blocks in a 3-0 (30-28, 30-25, 30-16) win over Francis Marion. She followed that up with 16 kills and seven blocks in a 3-1 (30-32, 30-12, 30-17, 30-28) win over St. Andrews Presbyterian.

Coupled with Friday's wins over Bridgeport and Glenville State, Saturday's victories give The Rock and veteran head coach Laurie Lokash a 4-0 start for the second successive season.

That's a good omen: The Rock finished the 2005 season with a 24-10 record and a berth in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional tournament.

Saturday, Jen Blasko had seven kills and 11 digs vs. Francis Marion and 17 kills, 16 digs and three service aces vs. St. Andrews.

Gwen Oberlin recorded 24 digs vs. St. Andrews and 13 vs. Francis Marion en route to earning a spot on the all-tournament team.

She was joined on the all-star squad by senior setter Sara Kirsch, who chalked up 27 assists vs. Francis Marion and 49 assists, six kills and three service aces vs. St. Andrews.

Louise Schultz chipped in 10 kills vs. Francis Marion and 12 kills vs. St. Andrews, while Katie Greco had 12 kills and five blocks vs. St. Andrews.

The Rock will put its 4-0 record on the line Friday when it opens play in the Colorado School of Mines/Days Inn Denver West tournament.

SRU will meet Adams State and Colorado State-Pueblo in opening-day action before taking on Western State and Colorado Mines on Saturday.

The Rock's home opener is Sept. 16 against reigning Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoff champion California U. of Pa.

That match will be SRU's 14th of the 2006 season.