Mount Olive spikers reach CVAC tournament final

Published in Sports on November 13, 2005 2:01 AM

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LAURINBURG -- Mount Olive College avenged its only conference loss and earned a shot at the 2005 Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference volleyball championship.

Sophomore outside hitter Sam Mitchell collected a double-double -- 20 kills, 17 digs -- in the Trojans' 30-16, 28-30, 30-21, 30-23 victory over Converse (S.C.) College. Converse, an affiliate member this season, beat top-seeded Mount Olive (28-6) in five games less than a month ago.

The Trojans oppose seven-time CVAC champion Lees-McRae in the title match at 2 p.m. today. The winner earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional.

Senior outside hitter Heidi Busch continued her climb up the NCAA kills chart with 19 against Converse. The Ft. Wayne, Ind., native now has 2,431 kills which places her among the top six all-time NCAA Division II kill leaders.

Colby Mangum provided 17 kills, seven blocks and two service aces. Sara Christie dished out 62 assists to go along with 13 digs. Freshman Kari Ham recorded four solo blocks.

Busch delivered a match-high 17 kills as Mount Olive opened tournament play with a 30-16, 30-12, 30-13 thrashing of archrival Barton College.

Mitchell earned a double-double -- 10 kills, 11 digs -- in the three-set sweep. Anna Luft added 11 kills, five blocks and two aces. Junior libero Nikki Murphy had 11 digs and freshman Mallory Peavler served three aces.

Christie handed out 40 assists.

Lees-McRae reached the final with a five-set victory over Coker (S.C.) College. Coker led 11-10 in the final set before the Bobcats rallied for the win.