By Beth Renkoski
10/08/09
Wirt Wanted for Lion of the Week
Kelsey Wirt
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Costa Mesa, Calif – Vanguard University’s volleyball team continues to charge through the end of the first round of GSAC play, riding a three-match winning streak over higher-ranked opponents. Led by four-year senior outside hitter Kelsey Wirt, the Lions returned to the NAIA rankings and rose this week to No. 16, the highest since the preseason poll. Leading the Lions offensively and defensively, Wirt was not only named VU’s Lion of the Week but she was recognized as the GSAC Volleyball Player of the Week.Twice in the last three matches Wirt hit season highs with 25 kills in a single match, propelling the Lions over then-17th ranked Biola University and No. 9-ranked Point Loma Nazarene University. Wirt registered 25 kills and 16 digs as the Lions, then ranked No. 25, knocked off the Eagles at The Pit in Costa Mesa.
On Saturday, the Lions hosted No. 24-ranked Westmont College and Wirt was extremely effective again. She pounded 13 kills and hit double figures again in digs with 11 in the three-set Vanguard win.
Following up two very impressive matches, Wirt matched her season-high 25 kills when the Lions, who had jumped to No. 16 in the rankings, took down the No. 9 Point Loma Sea Lions on their own court. Wirt added a match-high 18 digs against the Sea Lions in what was VU’s fourth upset victory in their last five matches.
Determined to finish her collegiate career on a strong note, Wirt and the Lions have put themselves in good shape for the postseason with the hope of a second consecutive trip to the NAIA National Tournament. Preparing for the second round of GSAC play, the Lions are undefeated in October and hope to continue the same type of success in November in order to ride the season into December, all the way to the National Tournament. Go Lions!