VCU OPENS WITH 3-0 SWEEP OF GARDNER-WEBB AT DUKE TOURNEY
8-25-06
Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – Virginia Commonwealth University senior outside hitter Ludmila Francescatto (Fraiburga, Brazil/Arizona Western) (pictured) totaled 16 kills, 10 digs, four blocks and had three of the Rams’ 12 aces to lead a 30-23, 30-25, 30-27 sweep of Gardner-Webb in the season-opener for both teams at the Duke University Invitational.

Francescatto, an All-Colonial Athletic Association First Team selection in 2005, hit .400 on the way to racking up her first double-double of the season. She led the Black and Gold with 20 such matches last season.

In addition, sophomore Elisa Kuehnel (Dresden, Germany/Sportsgymnasium) fired a career-high four aces to go along with 14 kills, seven digs and two blocks. Also, sophomore setter Cat Juson (Long Beach Calif./Bush) handed out 47 assists, while sophomore libero Laryssa Goncalves (Curitiba, Brazil/Colegio Dom Bosco) rang up 20 digs.

VCU out hit Gardner-Webb, .265-.195 and out blocked the Bulldogs, 6-3. The Rams also had 12 aces, compared to four for the opposition.

Audra Harrison had 10 kills and 17 digs for GWU.

Gardner-Webb threatened early on, taking a 19-18 lead in game one, only to see VCU close the frame on a 12-5 run. Francescatto’s added two of her seven kills in the period during the decisive run. Juson doled out 18 assists in game one alone.

Game two followed a similar pattern, with GWU taking a 19-16 advantage before Francescatto ripped three kills to spark a 9-0 VCU blitz.

The Rams return to action in the tournament on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 12 p.m. when they take on Marquette of the BIG EAST at Cameron Indoor Stadium. VCU will follow that match with a 7 p.m. battle with host and ACC preseason favorite Duke.