November 6, 2004
Release courtesy of Paul Misner, Univ. of Dubuque sports information director

DUBUQUE, IOWA . . . The Central College Dutch battled through a tough field of Iowa Conference opponents en route to their first IIAC Tournament title in three years with a 3-0 win over Cornell College in the tournament championship finals.

The Cornell Rams fought through a tough semi-final match which appeared to be headed in favor of the hosts, the University of Dubuque Spartans. Dubuque opened with a 30-26 and then lost the next to the Rams by a score of 18-30 and 25-30. UD challenged the Rams at the net and won the fourth game 30-24 to extend the series to a fifth and deciding game. UD jumped out to an early lead 9-4 before the Rams charged back after a timeout and knotted the series up at 14-14. A collision with their heads by UD's setter Amber Rippentrop and middle blocker Taylor Foltz left the two dazed as the ball bounced off the floor to give Cornell the late lead 15-14. After several minutes attending to the injured Spartans, UD would tie the match at 15-15. Both of the players would return to finish the match with the Rams taking away the victory by a score of 17-15.

The Rams advanced to the finals and would face the Central Dutch after they were taken to a five-set match by the Simpson College Storm. The Storm quieted the Dutch after winning the opener 30-26. Central bounced back to take game two, 30-19 only to lose game three 25-30. Game four fell in favor of the Dutch by a score of 30-26 and Simpson came up short despite the attacks and a strong defensive effort in the final game 13-15.

Central hit their stride in the finals against Cornell and would share the offense among the strong Dutch offense of Katie Pederson, Jamie Stark and Kristin Hancock who finished with 15, 15, and 11 kills in the three game championship match. The Rams' Kori Sims would finish the game with 14 kills and 10 digs in the loss.

"Our goal was to get here and have a chance to win the tournament and we did that," commented Cornell Coach Jeff Meeker. "We had some opportunities to win some big points and we weren't able to capitalize on them in the match. I'm proud of my team and we played very hard against Central after a thrilling win against the University of Dubuque."

The nine-time consecutive IIAC Conference Champion Dutch (14 overall) will advance to the 2004 NCAA Division III National Volleyball Championships by earning the victory in the tournament and the automatic bid.

"The conference tournament* you just can't really plan on anything," stated Central College Coach Kent Clayberg. "You have eight other teams facing elimination and they have one shot. Every year there's been upsets among the seeds, you just have to prepare for the best and Simpson and Cornell played us very tough. It's a great way to prepare for the national tournament because you really have to earn it in this league. Our student-athletes showed great heart and character this weekend. It's been tough, but they found strength in each other and they went out and got it done."

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