By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Sunday, October 18, 2009
Updated: Sunday, October 18, 2009 4:08 AM CDT

PARK HILLS - Two dominant wins at the American Family Insurance Classic on Saturday helped the Mineral Area College volleyball team complete a four-match weekend sweep without dropping a single game.

A pivotal 10-point scoring streak brought the Lady Cardinals through a temporary early slump against Kaskaskia in morning action, and an efficient offense clicked from there for a 25-21, 25-14, 25-17 victory.

MAC possessed only a 21-20 edge in game one after Taylor White scored with consecutive spikes for the Blue Angels, but responded with kills from three different players to finally secure it.

A quick reaction dig by freshman Kaylin Rasmussen enabled Monika Barros de Alcantara to connect down the line in a prolonged rally, and Kelsey Davault served a floating ace on game point.

Rachel Kleekamp notched several of her team-high 11 kills while lifting the host club to a 13-3 start in game two. The difference reached its maximum of 20-8 after an emphatic stuff by middle blocker Kelly Kosmopolis.

Tisha Meyer dinked a second contact past a surprised Kaskaskia defense midway through game three at 14-6, and a series of right-side kills from Morgan Orlando kept MAC in control through the conclusion.

Meyer totaled 33 assists and Davault made 16 digs for the Lady Cardinals. Barros de Alcantara added eight kills and Rasmussen tallied six with nine digs, while Kosmopolis and Haley Motley each executed three blocks.

White finished with 10 kills and Britany Pelczynski had six plus three stuffs for the Blue Angels.

Mineral Area capped the tournament by punishing the John Wood back row with 12 service aces, including four each from Cassie Garcilaso and Barros de Alcantara while rolling to a 25-5, 25-8, 26-24 triumph.

Rasmussen and Garcilaso had five kills apiece for the Lady Cards, who never looked back after Anna Laitinen served the opening eight points. Meyer dished out 22 assists and Davault compiled 11 digs.

Kelsie Byrd earned seven kills to pace the Trailblazers, who nearly forced an extra stanza after leading game three 24-22.

Rasmussen found an opening with a short kill to erase the first game point, and Garcilaso evened the score on a perfect crouched pass from Davault. MAC then sealed the outcome on back-to-back hitting errors.

The Lady Cardinals (23-7) began their weekend by handling Shawnee (25-22, 25-20, 25-20) and NW Shoals (25-22, 25-11, 25-10) on Friday night, and will travel to East Central on Wednesday.