Rangers Complete Improbable Run with 3-1 Defeat of Mesa State to Win RMAC Championship; Jessica Howe Named MVP

Kearney, Neb.: The Regis Rangers volleyball team finished their improbable run through the 2008 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament with a 3-1 victory to capture the championship, the Rangers first since 1998.  Regis dropped the first set 22-25, but responded with the help of Tournament MVP Jessica Howe to win the next three 25-19, 25-22, 25-18.

With the victory the Rangers will have an automatic berth in the upcoming NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament.

The sophomore outside hitter collected her second 20-plus kill game and her sixth of the season with a 20-kill performance.  She was joined in double figures by sophomore right side hitter Kerry Grady with 10 kills and just two errors.

Joining Howe on the all-tournament team were senior middle hitter Liz Franz and sophomore setter Devin Eckhardt.  Franz collected nine kills while Eckhardt collected yet another double-double, her 12th of the season, with 43 assists and 13 digs.  Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Keiter had another solid night with eight kills, eight digs and three service aces.

Defensively the Rangers collected 11 blocks for the second night in a row led by freshman middle hitter Liz Kann's career-high nine blocks.  Fellow freshman, libero Cassidee Young had a match-high 15 digs for the Rangers.  Senior Nia Ingram chipped in with 10 digs to help with the total of 59 digs for the match.

Regis, now 19-11 on the season, outhit the Mavericks, who finish the season 16-13, .224 to .152.  Howe averaged an astounding 5.55 kills per set, while Eckhardt averaged 12.00 assists per set for Regis.  Young and Kann averaged 4.64 digs and 1.55 blocks per set respectively and have helped the Rangers to seven consecutive victories.

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