10/16/2009
MQT Rolls On Senior Nite
Reprinted with permission from The News Dispatch

Ken Peterson
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - One of Marquette's most-talented senior classes gave the large Scholl Center crowd a fitting farewell with the hope of returning back there in November with another state title to add to the trophy case.

Led by senior Ashley Edmond's 19 kills, 10 digs and seven aces, the Blazers (26-6) rolled to a 25-20, 25-9, 25-20, over Mishawaka (8-23).

"This is my seventh senior night and it's a mixed bag on what you get," Marquette coach Troy Campbell said. "Having seven seniors and having all of them be big-time contributors and all of them playing well. We played all the seniors, including Rachel Hillman who did a great job."

Amber Cerrillos had a monster game with 33 assists, two aces and a kill for the Blazers (26-6). Brianna Gannon had 15 digs, and Rachel Cox four kills and an ace.

"The seniors, I consider them the very first group of our 'real' kids," Campbell said. "Through seventh and eighth grade, that we had contact with them and worked with them and all through high school. When we saw these kids come here in the PAC Tournament when they were in the eighth grade, I knew that this was going to be a special class.

"And to see them out there competing against each other. Gannon and Clancy were from Notre Dame and everybody else was from Queens. We knew that these four years would be great and it's great to get to know them as people and to see them grow up as young women."

The Cavemen started strong, building an 8-4 lead early in Game 1. But the Blazers responded with eight straight points, including back-to-back kills from Katie Clancy to take a 9-8 lead and were never really threatened after that.

Clancy finished with 14 kills and 13 digs.

"I think Ashley Edmond is one of the best outside attackers in the entire state, regardless of division," Campbell said. "And I think Katie Clancy is showing that she is coming into that role as well. I truly think I have the best two outside hitters in (Class) 1A."

Mishawaka led 3-1 early in Game 2 before Marquette rolled off 18 of the next 20 points. At one, Edmond served four straight aces.

The Cavemen jumped out to a 13-8 lead in Game 3 and it appeared they would force a fourth game. But Marquette rallied and took control of the game.

"We didn't let them stay in the game," Campbell said. "We came out and played really, really well. We came out and had a little bit of nerves as first. But after we got through that, we played fantastic."

Now Campbell is looking forward to the season finale Monday at Andrean and another deep postseason run.

"We were a good team when they were sophomores and beating Mishawaka and (having a chance to) beat Andrean as your last two matches is not an easy task," Campbell said. "Taking care of that as easily as we did let's us know how we are going to be in the postseason."