Washington (Missouri) won a record eighth NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship December 6 at La Verne, defeating University Athletic Association rival New York University in three games.

The Bears, who finished their season 38-3, won, 30-26, 32-30, 30-22. The Bears had previously defeated the Violets in the UAA championship in November, and once before earlier in the season. New York University finishes the year with a 40-5 record.

"I'm elated," said Washington coach Rich Luenemann, who was celebrating his first national title. "The team had the most incredible chemistry I've ever seen, and it was complemented by our three seniors. What a fitting end for the best team in the country."

The Violets raced to a 4-0 lead in the first game before Washington rallied and tied the game at 8. The Bears used a 9-4 run to grab a 27-22 lead en route to the 30-26 final margin.

Senior middle blocker Amy Brand recorded a solo block and a kill to give Washington a 32-30 win in game two after the Bears had faced two game points.

Brand finished the match with eight blocks and seven kills, including the game-winning point in game three on a solo block. After the Violets again claimed an early 4-0 lead, Washington came back and took a 30-22 victory.

"Our coaching staff did a great job," Brand said. "They scouted both teams this weekend so well, and we just adjusted to what they told us to do, and it worked. They did so much for us."

Senior Katie Quinn finished with 11 kills, while Cindy McPeak added seven. Junior Colleen Winter added six kills and 12 digs. Kara Liefer chipped in with 39 assists and nine digs.

Vanessa Biegen led New York University with 10 kills. Jennifer Gardikas had a team-high 12 digs, while her sister, Martha, added 11. Katya Khmelnitskaya contributed 31 set assists and 10 digs for the Violets.

"We had our chances with three potential game points in the second game," said New York University coach Ed Caesar. "When we didn't win that game, it kind of deflated us, especially against a veteran team that doesn't make too many mistakes.

"When a team beats you three times in a season, you just have to tip your hat and congratulate them," he said. "After it was over, that's just what I did."

To reach the title game, New York University defeated Emory, 30-25, 30-32, 33-31, 20-30, 15-9. Washington defeated La Verne, 30-27, 30-27, 30-25, in the other semifinal match.

La Verne defeated Emory for third place.

The all-tournament team consisted of Liefer, McPeak and Quinn from Washington; Khmelnitskaya and Gardikas from New York University, and Tricia Schary from La Verne.

Semifinals

New York U. def. Emory, 30-25, 30-32, 33-31, 20-30, 15-9; Washington (Mo.) def. La Verne, 30-27, 30-27, 30-25.

Third place

La Verne def. Emory, 30-24, 30-24, 30-24.

Championship