Match 1 - Final Stats (.pdf) | Match 2 - Final Stats (.pdf)

CANYON – The Angelo State volleyball team kicked off the 2011 season with back-to-back sweeps at the West Texas Lady Buff Classic, defeating Western State College (25-14, 25-16, 25-20) before knocking off Missouri Western (25-14, 25-18, 25-21) to begin the year 2-0. The Belles were led offensively by sophomore Kaelen Valdez, who turned in a double-double (11 kills, 11 digs) performance in the second match and senior Debbie Ohl who hit a sizzling .800 (8-0-10) in the contest.

The Belles' defense was impeccable as they held Western State (0-1) to a -.018 hitting percentage in the first match, and continued their stout defensive effort in the second match limiting Missouri Western (1-1) to a mere .095 attack percentage.

ASU capitalized on miscues by the Mountaineers in the first match, as the Belles ran away with each set early on. The same was true of the second match against the Griffons, as the Belles took a quick advantage in each set cruising to 25-14 victories in both first sets.

Junior setter Alex Woolsey totaled 61 assists, tallying 22 in the first match and 39 against the Griffons. Reigning Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Chelsea Gibson, picked up right where she left off as she slammed nine kills, without an error in 12 attempts to hit an impressive .750 against the Mountaineers.

The Belles' offense was steady throughout match two as they racked up a .545 hitting percentage in the first set and hit .352 in the contest.

Gibson led the squad with her nine kills in the first match and Valdez set the pace with 11 in the nightcap. Freshman setter Shelby Wilt saw some action as she recorded 11 assists versus Western State and added another against Missouri Western. Wilt was solid on defense as she led the team in digs (12) against the Griffons.

Senior Kayla Smith was consistent in both matches as she notched 10 digs in each to set the tone for the Belles. Junior libero Alexa Williams also turned in a 10-dig performance in the first match, while adding six in the second.

Western State was led by Kallee Cool who posted a team-best six kills on offense and Sami Fuentes' 19 digs on defense. Setter Molly Dolson notched 20 assists for the Mountaineers.

Missouri Western's Alexandra Behnke was the only Griffon to reach double-digit kills with 10. Setter Stephanie Hattey recorded 33 assists, while Sarah Faubel led the defense with 15 digs.

The Belles return to action Saturday, Sept. 3, at 11:30 a.m. when they take on UC-Colorado Springs in the final day of the West Texas Lady Buff Classic. They close the tournament with a 7 p.m. match against Adams State.

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