November 10, 2006

CONTACT: Van Zanic

Sports Information Director

(724) 847-6886

Geneva Splits Opening Day Tournament Matches

"5^th Place Match on Saturday to Advance Into Regionals"

Rochester, PA - Geneva opened the 2006 American Mideast Conference tournament on Friday afternoon with a 3-1 victory over Urbana University to advance into the quarter-final round. Awaiting the Golden Tornadoes in the elite eight was 22^nd ranked Cedarville University. With 41 victories coming into the match, the Yellowjackets made it quite apparent as to why they have received national recognition in a 3-0 victory over Geneva on Friday evening. The two-match split moved Geneva′s overall record to 16-19 and will force the Golden Tornadoes into an elimination match on Saturday afternoon.

The top five tournament finishers automatically advance into the NAIA regional tournament next week and Geneva will compete in that fifth place match on Saturday in an effort to advance into its first ever regional competition.

In Geneva′s opening round victory over Urbana, the Golden Tornadoes started slowly by dropping game one 30-15. However, Geneva quickly recovered in taking the next three games to advance. Marisa Barickman led the offense with 20 kills, while Megan Summers chipped in with 14 kills and eight blocks. Sarah Bruck had nine kills and three blocks in the victory. AMC North Setter of the Year, Caryn Azure, led the way with 42 assists, while Geneva′s Libero of the Year, Allison Seldomridge, was one of six Geneva players to reach double figures in digs.

Other than Barickman′s seven kills in the loss to Cedarville, there were not many bright spots, accept that the Golden Tornadoes will get the opportunity to keep playing next week if they get past Mt. Vernon Nazarene in the fifth place match on Saturday.