Aug. 26, 2005

Final Stats

CLEVELAND - Cleveland State dropped a 27-30, 30-26, 19-30, 30-28, 9-15 decision to Toledo on Friday night in the season-opener for both teams. The loss in front of 347 fans snapped the Vikings' three-match winning streak over the Rockets in Woodling Gymnasium.

CSU fell in the first game despite hitting .333, but rebounded to win the second frame with just a .105 hitting percentage, thanks in part to five blocks. After splitting each of the next two games, Toledo opened the decisive fifth frame with a 4-0 burst and never let the Vikings get any closer than two points en route to pulling out the win.

"We didn't play great, but I think Toledo is a pretty darn good team," CSU head coach Chuck Voss said. "I thought we served well, but they [Toledo] really did a great job of getting us out of our offense. I think we can take a lot from this match and build on it."

Senior opposite Nickole Kennedy led a balanced CSU attack with 16 kills and eight blocks. Senior outside hitter Jenna Maddocks tallied a double-double with 15 kills and 16 digs, while junior middle hitter Danielle Siefker hit .560 (14-0-25) with six blocks. Senior outside Emily Clark also notched a double-double with 12 kills and a team-best 19 digs.

Toledo senior middle hitter Kelsey Culver led all players with 23 kills and a .568 hitting percentage. Junior outside Kate Bean added 17 kills and 19 digs, while junior libero Lora Sarich led all players with 31 digs.

As a team, the Rockets held huge advantages in aces (17-8) and digs (91-70), while CSU tallied 11 blocks to just five for Toledo.

The Vikings are in action again when they head to Pittsburgh for the Duquesne Invitational on Sept. 2-3. CSU will square off against Rider on Friday, followed by matches with St. Francis (Pa.) and the host Dukes on Saturday.