Aug. 29, 2003

GOLDEN, Colo. - In it's 2003 season opener, the WSU volleyball team (0-1) fought back from an two-game deficit to force a fifth game, but fell 3-2 (18-30, 21-30, 30-24, 30-28, 9-15) to Western Oregon University (1-0) at the Clash in the Foothills tournament in Golden, Colorado.

Junior transfer Toni Purgatori (Yale, Mich./Lake-Sumter C.C.) made her debut with a team-high 14 kills. The middle blocker completed the match with the first double-double of the season by recording 10 digs.

Senior BreAnne Detrick (Lambertville, Mich./Bedford) led the Warriors with 17 digs along with her six kills and four assists. Classmate and fellow co-captain Rebecca Hague (Leamington, Ont.) had a match-high 39 assists.

The Wolves beat WSU at the net as they out-blocked the Warriors 17-4 and had a 68-50 advantage in kills.

Other top performers for Wayne State were sophomore Sei Hee Hwang (Toronto, Ont./Cedarbrae) with 10 kills and redshirt freshman Kristi Pieper (Roseville, Mich./Fraser) with 11 digs.

The Warriors continue action in Colorado Friday night at 8:00 p.m. against Montana State-Billings.