RAMS OPEN TITLE DEFENSE WITH GRITTY ROAD WIN
9-8-06
Box Score

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Sophomore outside hitter Ana Luiza Bernardes de Borja (Florianopolis, Brazil/Colegio Geracao) fired 16 kills while hitting at a .324 clip to propel Virginia Commonwealth University to a four-game victory, 24-30, 30-25, 30-15, 30-26 over UNC Wilmington Friday night.

The VCU win, which came in the Colonial Athletic Association opener for both schools, improves the Rams to 5-3 overall and is the Black and Gold’s fifth consecutive victory in the series. UNCW is 5-5.

De Borja, a CAA All-Rookie Team selection in 2005, added seven digs, two blocks and two aces in a solid all-around effort. Senior outside hitter Ludmila Francescatto ( Fraiburga, Brazil/ Arizona Western College) ripped a match-high 17 kills on a .222 percentage and added 11 digs and three aces.

VCU, the defending league champions, saw the Seahawks get off to a blazing start, hitting .343 in the opening stanza to take their first game off the Rams in eight tries.

Virginia Commonwealth University righted the ship in the second game, however, with senior middle hitter Melissa Peterson ( Ganado, Ariz./ Arizona Western College) recording five kills on six attempts and De Borja adding four in a 30-25 triumph.

The Black and Gold controlled the match the rest of the way, taking game three, 30-15 and the decisive fourth frame, 30-26.

Peterson finished with 12 kills and hit .421 for the match with three blocks. Meanwhile, sophomore libero Laryssa Goncalves ( Curitiba, Brazil/Colegio Dom Bosco) turned in 18 digs and sophomore setter Cat Juson ( Long Beach, Calif./Bush) contributed 47 assists.

Paula McConnell paced UNC Wilmington with a 13 kills and a .650 hitting percentage.

VCU stretches its road trip to the CAA’s southern-most point on Sunday, Sept. 10 when it meets Georgia State in Atlanta at 2 p.m.