Thomas More slams its way to the 2012 PAC Volleyball Championship

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.--The top-seeded Thomas More College women’s volleyball program posted a 3-0 victory over second-seeded Thiel College Saturday afternoon in the championship match of the 2012 Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Women’s Volleyball Championship Tournament. The league title is the third for the Saints and fifth-year head coach John Spinney in the last four years.


Thomas More (26-5) earned set victories of 25-22, 25-19 and 26-24 as they dispatched Thiel (23-8) in straight sets.


Senior setter Tori Verville (Edgewood, Ky./Holy Cross) distributed 38 assists and brought up 14 digs to lead the way for the Saints. Sophomore outside
hitter Felicity Britt (Alexandria, Ky./Bishop Brossart) led Thomas More with 10 kills while senior outside hitter Hannah Lietz (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton)
added nine kills and 16 digs.


Freshman middle hitter Jessica Knaley (Florence, Ky./St. Henry) and freshman outside hitter Stacy Howell (Cincinnati, Ohio/Glen Este) each chipped in with
eight kills for the Saints.


Sophomore defensive specialist Kelsey Castiglioni (Harrison Twp., Mich./L’Anse Creuse) added a game-best 21 digs.


Senior outside hitter Alyssa Chine (North Jackson, Ohio/Jackson Milton) totaled 10 kills and 11 digs for the Tomcats. Senior middle hitter Kelly Barzak
(Warren, Ohio/Howland) added seven kills while senior setter Chelsea Meister (Liberty Center, Ohio/Liberty Center) added 14 assists and 11 digs. Sophomore
libero Lauren Downs (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) also contributed 18 digs in the loss.


To advance to Saturday’s championship match the Saints recorded a 3-1 win over fifth-seeded Westminster College in the Friday’s opening semifinal, while
Thiel secured a 3-1 over third-seeded Bethany College in the second semifinal of the night.


Thomas More receives the conference’s automatic bid to next week’s NCAA Division III Championships with regional round action taking place November 9-11.


The NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Championships selection show is scheduled for Monday, November 5 at 11 a.m. and can be seen live at www.ncaa.com.