Volleyball Falls in NAIA Opening Round

Bourbannis, IL---The Asbury College volleyball team saw their season come to an end on Saturday in the 2008 NAIA Volleyball National Championship Opening Round against Olivet Nazarene University.  The Eagles lost in three games 25-11, 25-11, 25-12.

Asbury (27-17) was led in the match by senior Ellen Adkison's eight kills.  Junior Christina Marye added six and sophomore Lauren Budde had four of her own.  The Eagles struggled against the much taller Tiger team.  Asbury battled with 47 digs, led by sophomore Emily Andrews' eight and junior Julia Armstrong's even, but it wasn't enough.

The Eagles finished the season as the regular season and tournament champions in the KIAC for the first time in school history.  Asbury also played in the NAIA Tournament for the first time in school history.  

Asbury will lose three seniors for this year's squad, Abby Andrews, Ellen Adkison, and Katie Lee.  Adkison finishes her career as the school leader in games played, matches played, total attacks, and digs.  She is 2nd all-time in kills with 1,605, just behind Sarah Fowler's mark of 1623.  Adkison also finishes in the top-five in service aces (4th), solo blocks (5th), assisted blocks (3rd), and total blocks (5th).  All three seniors were members of the 2005 squad that advanced to the NCCAA Nationals for the first time in school history.  The seniors leave with a 85-83 overall record.