Kershner, Rattlers Defeat Newman in Volleyball

Katelyn Kershner led the Rattlers with 14 kills and 12 digs as St. Mary's defeated Newman Thursday night.

SAN ANTONIO--Katelyn Kershner led St. Mary's University with 14 kills, helping the Rattlers end a three-match losing streak with a 25-23, 14-25, 27-25, 22-25, 15-11, victory in Heartland Conference volleyball action Thursday night at Fugate Gymnasium.

The match got off to a slow start for the Rattlers, who trailed by as much as five points and trailed 18-13 late in the first set. But the Rattlers went on a 6-1 run to tie the match at 19-19. Again the Jets took the lead at 23-22. But Kirsten Chapman (So., Jourdanton) tied the match with a kill. Two points later, Luisa Rodriguez (Jr., Belo Horizonte, Brazil) clinched the set with a service ace.

Newman rallied to roll to the win in the second set, 25-14. In the third set the Rattlers fell behind early and trailed 24-16, giving Newman eight set points. But a Chapman kill gave the Rattlers back the serve. Five attack errors by the Jets and a kill by Adrianna Keys (So., San Antonio) tied the match at 24-24. Kershner (Jr., San Antonio) then completed the comeback with a kill to end things at 27-25.

In the fourth set, the Rattlers led most of the way before Newman rallied to tie the match at two sets each. In the fifth set, Newman took a 9-3 lead before the Rattlers rallied again. Chapman helped lead the comeback with three kills as the Rattlers went on a 12-2 run to end the match.

Kershner had 14 kills and 12 digs to lead the Rattlers. Chapman had 12 kills and three blocks. Stephanie Flores (So., San Antonio) led the defense with 19 digs.

With the win, the Rattlers ended a three-match losing streak, improving to 5-19 overall and 4-6 in Heartland Conference play. Newman fell to 9-18, 4-5. St. Mary's will return to action on Friday when they travel to Canyon, Texas, to face sixth ranked West Texas A&M University at 5 p.m.

St. Mary's (Texas) def. Newman 25-23,14-25,27-25,22-25,15-11

St. Mary's (Texas) (5-19, 4-6 HC) (Kills-aces-blocks) – Katelyn Kershner 14-1-0; Kirsten Chapman 12-0-3; Kori McCarver 7-4-3; Luisa Rodriguez 6-1-0; Adrianna Keys 6-0-2; Stephanie Crowell 5-0-6; Allie Murray 3-0-0; Allison Avalos 0-4-0; Stephanie Flores 0-1-0; Totals 53-11-10.0. (Assists) - Allie Murray 22; Sondra Cui 19. (Dig leaders) - Stephanie Flores 19; Katelyn Kershner 12; Sondra Cui 9; Allison Avalos 8

Newman (9-18, 4-5 HC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Angie Bennett 14-1-5; Sarah Bailey 12-0-3; Chelsey Potter 10-2-0; Jeana Farruggia 7-1-4; Brianna Witsman 6-0-7; Caroline Painter 2-1-2; Lauren Poe 1-0-0; Brittany Krantwashl 1-0-0; Totals 53-5-14.0. (Assists) - Caroline Painter 43. (Dig leaders) - Chelsey Potter 21; Angie Bennett 12; Amy Shorette 11; Jeana Farruggia 9

Site: Wichita, Kan. (Fugate Gymnasium)

Date: Oct 22, 2009   Attend: 221   Time: 1:51   

Referees: Marcia Alterman, Bev Funk