Rose-Hulman Volleyball Falls in Illinois College Invitational

JACKSONVILLE, ILL. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology dropped a pair of matches on Friday and Saturday to open the 2006 volleyball season at the Illinois College Invitational.

The Engineers captured game three against Harris-Stowe in the Friday season opener, but could not rely on the momentum to earn the victory.  Rose-Hulman fell by a score of 30-22, 30-27, 29-31, 30-23 in the match.

Junior Katie Tharp (Linton) led the Engineers with 12 kills in the opener, while junior Erin Rumley (Portage/ Christian) added 11 kills.  Sophomore Sarah Messmer (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas) added 12 blocks (five solo) and junior Amanda Fellows (Beavercreek, Ohio) had 11 blocks (four solo).

In the nightcap, Cornell withstood an improved Rose-Hulman performance to claim a 30-22, 30-25, 30-18 win.  Messmer had seven kills and five block assists, while Fellows had six kills and four block assists.  Sophomore Brandi Sturgill (Zionville, N.C.) added a match-high 25 assists.

On Saturday, Illinois College defeated the Engineers 30-20, 30-17, 30-20 and Grinnell captured a 33-31, 30-28, 30-25 victory over Rose-Hulman. 

Rumley led the way with five kills against Illinois College and Sturgill added 16 assists with eight digs.  Against Grinnell, Fellows smashed a team-high 12 kills, Tharp added 11 and Messmer 10 in a balanced effort.  Sturgill had 35 assists and sophomore Katie Wolber (Brookville/Franklin County) pitched in a team-high 11 digs.

The Engineers host the Rose-Hulman Invitational next weekend at the Sports and Recreation Center.

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