Making it a perfect 'three for three'  Webster University Championship weekend, the women's volleyball team won the 2012 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament, defeating Greenville College, 3-0, on November 3  in Greenville, IL..  The Gorloks won their second straight championship, and their sixth in seven years. 

The Webster University women's soccer team, the men's soccer team, and the volleyball team have their second sweep in the SLIAC in four years, with all three winning also in 2009.

Webster had split with Greenville during the regular season, losing 3-0 on Sept. 15, at Elsah, IL, but assured themselves of a share of the SLIAC title with a 3-0 win on Oct. 9 over the Panthers at home.  The Gorloks came into the match having won 14 straight matches vs. SLIAC opponents.  Webster made it 15 straight, by downing the Panthers, 25-21, 25-21, 25-18.

Webster kept up its dominance, even on the road in the Championship match at Greenville.  After a close call in the semi-final match vs. Westminster College, the Gorloks came together vs. Greenville.  The Panthers came into the match 23-9, and hoping some home cooking would help them take back the title they won in 2010, snapping a Gorlok four-year win streak.

The Gorloks narrowly made it to the Championship final, defeating Westminster College, 3-2, in their first round matchup.  The feisty  Blue Jays won the first set, 25-18, and led 22-16 in the second set...bidding for an upset.  But a Webster 8-0 run to end the set, made it a 25-22 Webster win to even the match at 1-1.  Webster seemed take control at that point on, winning 25-16 in the third, but Westminster forced a tie-breaker with a 25-18 win in the fourth set.  The Gorloks pulled ahead 12-8 and 14-10, but nipped the Blue Jays, 15-13 to advance.

The Gorloks have won a record ten titles in the 18-year history of the tournament.  They are 24-9 on the season, and the 24 wins is the second highest single season total in the team's history, tied with the 1997 season and one win behind the 25 in 2007.  The team will await word on when, where, and against whom, they will play in the NCAA Tournament.  The announcement will be made on Monday, November 5.

Webster has won nine straight matches and 16 of its last 17.  The Gorloks are 24-9 on the season.

Jenny Howard (SO, Duchesne HS, MO) was named the 2012 SLIAC Volleyball Championship Most Valuable Player.  Sam Kersting (SO, Lindbergh HS, MO) and Kristen McDowell (SO, Staunton HS, IL) joined Howard on the 2012 SLIAC Volleyball All-Tournament Team.

Befitting their championship run, Webster was honored with numerous awards during the SLIAC post-season awards that were announced immediately following the title bout.  Howard was named the 2012 Player of the Year, following up on her 2011 Newcomer of the Year award.  Coach Merry Graf was named the 2012 Coach of the Year for a second straight season, and the fourth time in her career at Webster.  In addition, the Gorloks had six All-Conference selections as well.

All-Sportsmanship Team                        Sami Murray (SR, Columbia HS, IL)

Honorable Mention, All-Conference      Liz Abraham (JR, Hermann HS, MO)
Honorable Mention, All-Conference      Emily Ratkewicz (SO, Granite City HS, IL)

Second Team, All-Conference                Allie O'Toole (SO, Lutheran South HS, MO)
Second Team, All-Conference                Jordan Vehlewald (SO, Lafayette HS, MO)

First Team, All-Conference                      Jenny Howard (SO, Duchesne HS, MO)
First Team, All-Conference                      Sam Kersting (SO, Lindbergh HS, MO)

Player of the Year                                       Jenny Howard (SO, Duchesne HS, MO)

Coach of the Year                                      Merry Graff (12th Season)

Congratulations to all the players and coaches on their SLIAC honors for 2012!