MISSOULA, Mont.-- Junior Karla Zschau recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 11 digs to lead Ole Miss to a 3-0 victory over Eastern Kentucky in first-day volleyball action at the Ruby's Inn/University of Montana Invitational. The win was first of the Joe Getzin era, which began Jan. 28, 2002, when he took over as head coach of the Lady Rebel program.
Ole Miss won the match by scores of 30-18, 30-21 and 30-27, and never trailed in any of the three games. The contest was the 2002 season opener for both schools.
"We showed a lot of potential out there today," Getzin said. "We were able to work out the nervousness that comes with the start of a new season. The coaches and players are getting more comfortable with each other, and it's just good to walk away with the win."
The Lady Rebels jumped out to a 14-6 lead in game one and never looked back. Ole Miss extended its lead to 27-16, before closing the first game 30-18. After a 2-2 start in game two, Ole Miss scored five-straight points to take a 7-2 advantage en route to winning 30-21. The final game saw the Lady Rebels grab an early lead and build it to as many as seven at 29-22. Eastern Kentucky, though, battled tough down the stretch, closing to within 29-27 before freshman Rachel Refenes' game-ending kill halted the Colonels' late charge.
Junior Jade Polonich posted a game-high 34 assists. Senior Erin Newsom added 8 kills and 3 digs, while senior Cheryl Wilson had 4 kills, 4 digs and 4 block assists. Refenes recorded 8 kills and 5 block assists in her first collegiate match.
"We did some good things (on defense)," Getzin said. "Defense will be an on-going theme for us throughout this year. In this first match, we dictated the outcome of the contest, and that is a good sign."
The Lady Rebels return to action on Saturday with two matches. Ole Miss will face Boise State at 1:00 p.m. (CT) and will also meet host Montana at 8:30 p.m. (CT).
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