Nov. 10, 2007
SEARCY, Ark. - A red-hot West Georgia team had an answer for every West Florida attack, as the Argos fell in the conference final by a 30-21, 30-27, 30-19 score. In each game, West Georgia pushed out to a lead, and West Florida had to fight back. In the end, Andressa Marteens and Caroline Schoeneck were too much for West Florida, as the two combined for 32 kills. West Florida Outside Hitter Isabela Gualberto did her part to keep the Argos in the match with 17 kills.
In game one, West Georgia roared out to a 16-11 lead. Then Jesse Keroack had a big block to help pull the Argos close, and provide some momentum. With the score at 24-21, West Georgia put together a string of points, one of which included a spectacular dig by Kayla Spencer, and the point ended with a kill for West Georgia. That point seemed to set the tone of the match, as every strong attack by West Florida was recovered by West Georgia, with either a block or a great dig. Marteens would end game one with six kills for the wolves, as they won the first game 30-21.
In game two, the Argos came out strong and held a lead of 13-11, until West Georgia reeled off four points, with two of them coming on blocks. West Georgia would go up 17-14, until a Chelsea Wilhoite kill stopped the momentum. Down 28-22, West Florida got a spark from Louann Rusch, who came off the bench to record a kill that sparked a rally of three consecutive points, but it wasn't enough as Marteens ended game two with back to back kills.
In game three, the hungry wolves could sense a conference championship, and despite valiant efforts from West Florida, it was definitely West Georgia's night. West Florida Head Coach Melissa Wolter would say afterwards, "West Gerogia really earned it, they could do no wrong out there. They are an extremely talented team, and they got hot at the right time." West Florida had defeated West Georgia twice this season in five set matches, and the two teams match up very evenly on paper, but tonight the Wolves were just a bit more sharp.
Andressa Marteens was the tournament MVP, while Schoeneck, and Jordan McDonald made the all-tournament team for West Georgia. Kimberly Clark, who recorded 11 kills in the final, was an all-tournament selection, along with Gualberto for West Florida. Edith Musebe of Henderson State, and Danielle Palasak of North Alabama rounded out the all-tournament team. In the final match, Jerica Carter would lead the Argos with 12 digs, and Madeline Gonzalez dished out 32 assists, but it was the eight blocks by West Georgia that made the most difference.
West Florida drops to 32-6 on the season, and will await a bid to the NCAA tournament in the next few days. West Georgia earned an automatic bid with the Conference championship, and they improved to 27-11 on the season. West Florida is ranked 24th in the nation and third in the South Central region, and should receive a bid to continue their remarkable season.
