RICH, KVAPILOVA SEND VCU PAST WILLIAM & MARY, INTO CAA TITLE MATCH
11-23-09
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Senior Ivana Rich (Cumberland, Va.) (pictured, right) and freshman Michala Kvapilova (Liberec, Czech Republic) (pictured, left) combined for 28 kills and seven blocks to lead top-seeded Virginia Commonwealth University past fourth-seeded William & Mary Monday in a Colonial Athletic Association semifinal at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

The victory pits the Rams (25-8) against third-seeded George Mason (22-8) in Tuesday’s championship match. First serve is at 7 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena. VCU, which has won 10 straight, will be seeking its second CAA crown overall, and first since 2005. The Rams also reached the CAA title match in 2006.

“This year is pretty special because it’s the accumulation of building a program, as opposed to coming in with a bang, big change,” said VCU Head Coach James Finley. “One of the big differences now is that we have a big target on our back, and we get everybody’s best match. It’s not a surprise anymore.”

Kvapilova, who was named the league’s Rookie of the Year on Sunday, smashed a match-high 15 kills and registered four blocks for the Rams. VCU out blocked the Tribe (18-11), 7-4.

Rich hit .550 on the evening and ripped 13 kills for the Rams, who hit .248 as a team. Rich also provided three blocks. Junior Kelsie Clegg (Boise, Idaho) added six kills, three blocks and hit .500.

Lauren Powell paced William & Mary with 12 kills and 10 digs, but the Tribe hit just .118 on the evening.

VCU and George Mason split a pair of matches this season, with each winning on its home floor by a 3-2 margin. The Patriots upended second-seeded Delaware, 3-2, in Tuesday’s other semifinal.

“It’s going to be a big battle,” Finley said of George Mason. “They’re the best blocking team in the conference, so we have to play smart as far as what we do hitting and how we pass, keep the ball off the net, those kinds of things. They can generate a lot of offense quick. They really set their opposites a lot and cut back across the court, so we have to block well and play good defense on that side. So, we know that they’ll be a formidable foe.”