Coach Randy Litchfield has been working on blocking in every practice since the Cardinals loss to Bowling Green on Saturday.
It paid off against Toledo.
The Cardinals (8-5, 2-1 Mid-American Conference) tallied 18 total blocks, including eight solo blocks, as they defeated the Rockets (9-6, 2-1 MAC) 3-1.
"For the most part, very very good," Litchfield said. "Their middle threats we really did a nice job with. With 18 blocks that was big."
The team was led by Rachel Refenes, who returned to the lineup after being benched early in the match against Bowling Green. Refenes added four solo blocks and assisted on four more to lead the Cardinals.
"Rachel and I have had discussions," Litchfield said. "What's in the past is in the past. Rachel had a nice night for us."
Refenes' four solo blocks were a season high and tied her career best. She also tied her season mark for total blocks.
Brittany May added six blocks for the Cards, a career high, and tallied up seven kills.
"Brit, I thought, as the match evolved, learned a lot about blocking," Litchfield said. "She finally was dropping her inside hand and getting some people. It's a real technical skill, but I'm really excited to see her do it a few times and get some success out of it."
May's career mark setting block came on the final play of the match when she and Angie Parrell blocked an attack on the edge of the net to give the Cardinals the fourth set 30-27.
Kelly Cochran led the offensive attack for the Cardinals, tallying 16 kills and earning a hitting percentage of .250 with only four errors.
"That's something we've been working on as well," Cochran said. "Most of the losses we've had, we've beat ourselves with our own errors. It's been a really big focus personally."
Sarah Obras added 15 kills and Refenes had 12.
Parrell added 50 assists, eight short of a career high. Parrell was battling a case of poison ivy that infected a large amount of her body.
"Just call it 'itching for a win'," she said. "It's not too bad of a distraction, really. It does itch during the game, but I just kind of ignored it. It didn't bug me too much."
The Cardinals will move on to face Buffalo (7-8, 0-3 MAC) on Saturday.
"I definitely think come more home games, Buffalo especially, our blocking is going to be right on," Cochran said.
NOTEBOOK:
Thursday's win over Toledo was Randy Litchfield's 34th against the Rockets. Litchfield has never lost to Toledo.
Toledo's Chelsey Poquette tallied 25 kills for the Rockets and hit for .254 against the Cards. Kate Bean had 18 kills but also had 14 errors for Toledo.
Junior Heather Burleson fell to the ground during game three and was grabbing her left ankle. She had to be carried off the court by Graduate Assistant Trainer Stacy Struble and Associate Athletic Trainer Tony Cox.
The Cardinals are 8-0 all time against Buffalo and hold a 5-0 advantage in Worthen Arena.
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