LOFTIN, JOHANSEN, AND TAYLOR SWEEP AGAIN
November 15, 2005

WACO, TX: Rachel Loftin, Whitney Johansen and Susan Taylor led Texas Wesleyan University to its second consecutive Red River Athletic Conference women’s volleyball title on Saturday. All three were named first team all-conference, and each was recognized in their specialty. Loftin was named RRAC Player of the Year and Front Row Player of the Year; Johansen was selected as RRAC Setter of the Year; and Taylor was named Defensive Specialist of the Year.

The trio added another honor with their third consecutive sweep of the RRAC weekly awards for Player, Setter and Libero of the Week.

Loftin, a senior middle blocker from Burleson, Texas, was named player of the week for the fourth time this season after leading TWU to three conference tournament victories. She connected for 15 kills in 42 chances in a quarterfinal match with Texas A&M International University before blasting 13 kills in 31 chances with two errors to escape the NAIA’s 17th-ranked team, Houston Baptist University (Texas). She had 36 kills in all (.345 hitting percentage) to go with 13 digs and 14 blocks.

Johansen, a senior setter from Colleyville, Texas, continued to rack up huge assist totals with 54, 30 and 47 in the three tournament matches against TAMIU, Texas College and HBU. She averaged 11.9 assists per game while posting a hitting percentage of .318 and accumulating 19 digs. She earned her sixth RRAC Setter of the Week honor for the season.

Taylor, a senior libero from Southlake, Texas, registered 74 digs or 6.73 per game throughout the tournament. She committed just two errors in 28 passing attempts and pounded seven aces. Her best match of the week came when she recorded 37 digs against TAMIU. Taylor also earned her sixth RRAC Libero of the Week award.

The Lady Rams (30-3) have won 29 consecutive matches as they advance to the NAIA Region VI Tournament. They are currently ranked ninth in the NAIA, the highest ranking in school history.