 Bills Wrap Up Spring Season with SLU Invitational, Annual Fund-raiser
April 24, 2009
ST. LOUIS - The Saint Louis volleyball team completes its spring schedule Saturday with the eight-team SLU Invitational at Chaifetz Pavilion. Tournament play begins at 9 a.m. The tournament will be followed by the squad's annual fund-raiser at Humphrey's Restaurant, located at 3700 Laclede Avenue, from 7-11 p.m. In addition to Division I SLU and Illinois, the other six teams are comprised of former college volleyball players. The Billikens open play in Pool A against Ball Z - Kansas City at 10 a.m. before squaring off with Good Times at 11 a.m. SLU finishes pool play with a 1 p.m. match against Blackout. Pool B is comprised of the Plyocity Smack, Swing Oil, St. Louis TAY and the University of Illinois. The top two teams in each pool advance to the Gold playoffs, while the bottom two teams move on to the Silver playoffs. Matches will be played in a best-of-three format with the third set being played to 15 points. Admission to the tournament is free, and concessions will be available. Saturday evening, the Billikens will host the 2009 SLU Volleyball Fund-raiser at Humphrey's. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased from any Billiken volleyball player or at the door. The ticket includes free food from local vendors, Humphrey's drink specials, mice races, a silent auction, music provided by a DJ and much more. Please call (314) 977-3254 for more information. Last weekend at Kansas State's Powercat Spring Classic in Kansas City, Mo., the Bills won four matches to earn the tournament crown. Saint Louis received contributions from all of its returning players in a 25-13, 25-18 win over Kansas in the tournament opener. The Billikens' next match against 2008 NCAA Tournament participant Colorado State featured strong play from both teams before SLU emerged as the 25-21, 29-27 winner. Then the Bills beat a scrappy and well-coached Creighton team 25-19, 25-22. SLU was tested in its final match of the tournament against the host Wildcats. Saint Louis' ball control and solid all-around played helped it hold onto the momentum for most of the match. The Billikens ultimately came out on top 25-16, 22-25, 15-11 to capture the tournament title.
The Bills (29-5 in 2008), who earned the 13th overall seed in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, finished one of the best seasons in program history ranked No. 21 in the final Bison/AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll. SLU, which also captured the program's first NCAA Tournament win in 2008, completed the season ranked eighth in the final RPI (ratings percentage index). The Billikens lose just one player from the 2008 squad while returning four All-Americans and five of six starters in 2009. |
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