Temple University Athletics
Temple University
George Washington
OWLS DEFEAT GEORGE WASHINGTON 3-1 IN ATLANTIC 10 CHAMPIONSHIPS; EARN BID TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
11.23.02 | Women's Volleyball
Outside hitter Xu Yun proved why she was Atlantic 10 Player of the Year as she led the Owls with 23 kills and 25 digs. Junior outside hitter and A-10 All-Conference team member Yamit Haba also put up impressive numbers with 18 kills and 17 digs. Junior Liu Shu scored in double figures with 12 kills, 16 digs, and 10 assists while setter Alison Runk posted 59 assists.
Game one did not go the Owls way as George Washington seemed to be in the right place at the right time, dominating play and winning 30-20. Even after matching each other point for point for the first ten minutes of play, the Colonials put together a string of three and four point runs to secure the victory in game one.
Game two went more the Owls way as they started with four straight points to lead 4-0. George Washington did manage to get their share of points after impressive hitting by the Colonial's Sarah Hokum who had several kills. Towards the end of the game, however, the Owls went on an 10-1 scoring run and secured the 30-23 victory and tied the match at one game a piece.
Temple led for most of game three before the Colonials made a seven point comeback to take the lead 29-28. Haba and Xu both had kills to move the Owls ahead of GW 30-29 and Temple eventually secured the win one a stellar serve by Haba.
Temple also led game four for the majority of the time until GW went on a 7-0 scoring run and tied the game at 19-19. Then the two teams matched each other point for point until the Colonials made several costly errors and Temple took the lead 29-26. A kill by Shu gave Temple the 30-27 victory and the championship title.
After the game, Runk was named to the All-Tournament team and Yun was named the championship's Most Outstanding Player.
The Owls now have to wait until December 1 when the NCAA selections are announced. By winning the conference championship, Temple has an automatic bid but the location of the game is yet unknown.
