DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - After going undefeated on day one of the IIAC-NACC Crossover Challenge, Loras needed two wins on Saturday to complete their first undefeated tournament October 2010.

The Duhawks battled for command of the court in the first set against Benedictine. Capitalizing on vulnerabilities within the Eagles' court, Loras established their middles early on. Trailing 21-17, junior middle hitters Therese Schultz and Danni Kennedy came out of a Loras timeout to tally back-to-back kills. The momentum created lifted Loras to a set one victory, 25-22.

Loras picked up right where they left off in set one, jumping out to a 12-3 lead. Freshman Claire Ritchie and senior Liz Jendra combined for four kills each in the set. The Duhawks finished with 16 kills on 42 attacks. Helping Loras' matters was the cold streak Benedictine went on, recording seven attacking errors and just one kill.

Benedictine refused to go down without a fight, bringing set three to level pegging at 16-all. Loras' offense began to stall out in the third, finishing well below their attack percentage from the first two sets at .073. Ritchie's kill at 17-16 gave Loras the lead for the final time and the upper-hand to take the set 25-20.

Schultz continued on her torrid pace from Friday, finishing with 12 kills and a .476 attack percentage.
 
KEY PLAYS
| SET 1 | LOR | Kennedy uses a smart kill to an empty left corner to have to Duhawks jump to an early 7-4 lead.
| SET 2 | LOR | Freshman Claire Ritchie uses back-to-back kill to cement to 12-3 Duhawk lead
| SET 2 | LOR | A kill from Jendra prevents any sort of comeback from the Eagles and takes the set 25-11
| SET 3 | LOR | An ace out of Schultz give Loras an early 9-3 lead, paving the way for a clean sweep out of the Duhawks.
 
Entering their fourth and final match of the weekend, Loras was caught out of the gate against Lakeland. The Muskies' defense was up to the task of slowing down Schultz and Kennedy, limiting the Duhawk middles to four kills on 15 attempts. Loras as a side converted on nine of their 48 attempts, with eight errors, for a meager .021 attack percentage. Lakeland eventually took set one, 25-18 and the early lead in the match.

The loss in the first set was exactly what the Duhawks needed as a wake up call and opened the second with a 10-5 run. Lakeland weathered the storm and came storming back with a run of their own, fighting back to within two at 18-16. Ritchie sealed the deal, capping a final run of 7-5 for the Duhawks to take set two 25-21.

Loras turned to their depth in the third, utilizing a complete team effort. The campaign started a back row dig by Schultz. The New Lenox native's defense provided the means for sophomore Jenna Erikson to connect with Kennedy on a set, which eventually led to a crucial kill, to extend the Loras lead to 10-6. The Duhawks continued their versatile play to take the third set 25-12.

One-set away from their first five-game winning streak since 2010, the Duhawks made their presence known on their home court. Loras' defense stepped to the plate and forced the Muskies into a .019 attacking percentage, while countering with 15 kills of their own. Kennedy led the defensive charge with four blocks and converted on two of her four attacks to finish with seven in the match. Schultz put the nail in the coffin with her 12th kill to win the set 25-17 and the match 3-1.
 
KEY PLAYS
| SET 1 | LOR | Liz Jendra comes up with a big block with Loras trailing 17-11, proving that despite the score, Loras would not give up.
| SET 2 | LOR | Liz Jendra once again stepped up with an ace, igniting a three-point run for the Duhawks.
| SET 2 | LOR | Freshman Ali Clark's kill would give Loras the 18-16 lead, allowing the Duhawks to pull away from the Muskies.
| SET 3 | LC | A Lakeland service error prevents the Muskies from scoring double digits, trailing 18-9.
| SET 4 | LOR | Jendra and Kennedy team up with a double block on the outside to give Loras the 22-16 lead.

FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE DAY
Danni Kennedy | The junior middle blocker compiled 15 kills, 10 blocks and 10 digs on Saturday as Loras completed a sweep at the IIAC-NACC Crossover Challenge.

UP NEXT
The Duhawks will remain at home in the Athletic & Wellness Center for an Iowa Conference matchup with Coe on Tuesday night. The Kohawks went 3-1 during the IIAC-NACC Crossover Challenge in Mequon, Wisconsin on the weekend. First serve is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.