Wheaton opens season at Gordon Invitational, Kraus named all-tourney

August 30, 2008

WENHAM, MA- The Wheaton College women's volleyball team began the 2008 season with a 1-2 showing on Saturday at the Gordon College Invitational in the Bennett Center. The Lyons opened against Endicott College, which has been to the past two NCAA Tournaments, with a 3-0 (21-25, 16-25, 21-25) loss before rebounding with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-19) victory over the University of New England. In its final match, the Blue and White fell in five sets to Keene State College, 3-2 (15-25, 25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 8-15).

Following Wheaton's match with Keene State, junior Lauren Kraus (Westboro, MA/Westboro) was named to the all-tournament team after tallying 31 kills, 11 blocks and six service aces on the day.

Against Endicott, the Lyons stayed close with the Gulls in a pair of sets before falling. Freshman Miranda Howitt (San Francisco, CA/International) began her career with nine kills and four digs, while Kraus had eight kills, five digs and five blocks. Sophomore Kristen Hunt (Milford, CT/Jonathan Law) notched nine digs, and classmate Becca Rose (Sudbury, MA/Lincoln-Sudbury Regional) had 15 assists and three blocks.

During Wheaton's victory over the University of New England, Kraus posted 11 kills and three blocks, while senior Liana Merrill (Northwood, NH/Coe-Brown Northwood Academy) added eight kills. Howitt had seven kills, nine digs and five aces, while freshman Emily Davisson (Carpinteria, CA/Laguna Blanca School) and Hunt recorded 12 and eight digs, respectively. Rose tallied 27 assists and three aces.

The Lyons saw a 2-1 lead slip away against Keene State after winning the second and third sets. Kraus turned in 12 kills, three blocks and three aces, Howitt tallied nine kills, while Davisson notched 22 digs and Rose collected 37 assists.

Wheaton opens its 10-match home slate on Thursday when it takes on Salve Regina University at 7:00 p.m.

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