Nov. 1, 2003

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - A handful of supporting players stepped up to help lead the Lewis women's volleyball team to a three-game sweep of Saint Joseph's November 1. Freshman Charisse Steckling and sophomore Val Olis provided solid all-around efforts that gave Lewis (15-10, 7-6 Great Lakes Valley Conference) a 30-26, 30-28, 30-21 victory over the Pumas (7-23, 3-11 GLVC). The win avenges a five-game loss to Saint Joseph's two weeks ago.

Steckling tallied seven kills with five blocks and helped the Flyers close out games 1 and 2. With only a slim 26-25 lead in game 1, Steckling produced a set of consecutive plays that included a kill and two blocks that pushed Lewis to a 29-25 lead and the eventual victory. In game 2, she broke a 28-all tie with a kill that gave Lewis game point.

"Charisse is a physically talented player who is capable of some great things," said Lewis head coach Karen Lockyer. "She has a good jump and long arms and both of those things contribute to her being a good middle blocker."

Olis entered the match midway through game 1 and supplied the team with an instant energy boost. She finished with four kills and recorded 10 digs.

"Val only had four kills, but even though some of the balls she hit didn't end up as kills, we wound up winning some of those points because of the pressure she created with that attack," said Lockyer.

While Olis and Steckling gave the Flyers added options, Katie Gilman and Sarah McKinney were the main driving forces in the match. In her first match back after missing the past three, McKinney registered nine kills, four blocks and a match-high .438 hitting percentage. Gilman provided her customary leadership role adding a team-high 14 kills, 13 digs and seven blocks.

"We got a better rhythm going today," said Lockyer. "We needed to swing and we needed to transition and we were able to do that today.

"It was nice to get a win and play well, because we have to be ready heading into some tough matches next weekend."

The Flyers will close out their regular season hosting conference-leading SIU Edwardsville November 7 and Missouri-St. Louis November 8.