Volleyball

Kasia Kucharski was named to the all-tournament team after totaling 65 kills and 49 digs in four matches.

The Big Red volleyball team enjoyed a successful weekend at the 10th Annual Marcia French Memorial Tournament hosted by Baldwin-Wallace College. DU posted a 3-1 record at the seven-team event, chalking up victories over host Baldwin-Wallace, LaRoche and St. Vincent. Denison's only loss was to Heidelberg College in Friday night's opener.

On Friday night, DU opened with a 0-3 (24-30, 26-30, 15-30) loss to Heidelberg. Kasia Kucharski (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Ready) was the team leader in kills with 13 and Ali Leonard posted 18 digs.

DU rebounded with their second victory of the season, topping LaRoche 3-0 (30-11, 30-26, 30-9). Senior Kelsey Bruce (Upper Arlington, Ohio/Upper Arlington) posted 13 kills and three digs to pace the Big Red while junior setter Ali Trotter (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) totaled 40 assists. Holly Leonard (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Twp.) had 19 digs.

Things continued to improve on Saturday as DU knocked off the host Yellow Jackets 3-1 (30-28, 30-28, 22-30, 30-21). Bruce posted a season-high 21 kills in the four-game match and Trotter amassed 54 assists. Freshman Lauren Weidner (Lake Barrington, Ill./Barrington) also had a big game, posting 27 digs.

Denison closed out the tournament on Saturday with a 3-1 (20-30, 30-23, 30-24, 30-24) win over St. Vincent College.  Kucharski posted  24 kills in the victory while Trotter added 49 assists and  Weidner chipped in 16 digs.  Kucharski and Bruce were both named to the all-tournament team.

The Big Red are 4-4 overall and will host Otterbein in their 2007 home opener on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.