RAMS SENIORS ENJOY SUCCESSFUL SENDOFF WITH 3-0 WIN OVER GMU
10-28-06
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Seniors Ludmila Francescatto (Fraiburga, Brazil), Melissa Peterson (Ganado, Ariz.) (pictured) and Renata Salvatori (Londrina, Brazil) combined for 25 kills, 16 digs and seven blocks in their final home match to spark a 3-0 (30-24, 30-27, 30-25) Virginia Commonwealth University win over George Mason Saturday at the Alltel Pavilion.

The Rams snap a three-match losing streak and move to 13-12 overall and 7-8 in the Colonial Athletic Association. GMU slips to 7-14 overall and 4-11 in league play.

Peterson produced a nine-kill, six-block (three solos) performance for the Black and Gold. She hit .444 for the match to lead VCU, which recorded a .194 mark on the evening. Francescatto kicked in 11 kills, moving her within three of 400 for the second straight season. She added nine digs and pair of aces. Salvatori had five kills, six digs and a block.

All three seniors came to VCU two years ago, following head coach James Finley from Arizona Western College in Yuma, Ariz. Since their arrival, the Rams have enjoyed unprecedented success, including their first CAA Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.

“For me it’s more about the emotional connection I’ve had with them,” said Finley of his seniors. “They’ve been so dependable as far as having great work ethics, being great students to being ambassadors for the school. I’m proud of the standard they’ve established here. We’ll have some big shoes to fill.”

Also for the Black and Gold, sophomore Elisa Kuehnel (Dresden, Germany) ripped 10 kills on a .333 hitting percentage, while sophomore setter Cat Juson (Long Beach Calif.) set 34 assists and sophomore libero Laryssa Goncalves (Curitiba, Brazil) recorded 16 digs.

Jaqueline Kohler paced the Patriots with 10 kills and Laura Turner chipped in seven kills and four total blocks.

VCU returns to action Nov. 3 in Williamsburg, Va., when it takes on CAA-foe William & Mary at 7 p.m. at Kaplan Arena.